Mandaue cops probe bike thefts

THE Mandaue City police will meet with owners of business establishments selling motorcycles to discuss the rising cases of motorcycle thefts in the city.

Since January, at least 10 motorcycles were reported stolen.

However, not all motorcycle thefts could be considered carnapping, said Supt. Cresaleo Tolentino, deputy city director for operations of the Mandaue City Police Office.

Tolentino said some owners purchased their motorcycles on installment basis and that those who were delinquent in their payments ended up having their units confiscated by the company without notice.

Owners would then report to the police that motorcycles were missing.

Some motorcycles were also stolen from parking lots.

Mandaue police said they will coordinate with security officers of malls and commercial establishments to prevent motorcycle thefts.

The Mandaue police also started conducting drills in malls where security officers were taught what to do during robbery incidents last Feb. 22.

The response time of both the security guards and police will be monitored.

The MCPO will conduct monthly meetings with mall security managers to discuss security matters and bring up their concerns, said Supt. Josefino Ligan, chief of MCPO’s intelligence branch.

Mall managers are also briefed on how robbers operate./REPORTER JUCELL MARIE P. CUYOS