Trike driver accused of rape, theft charged

CCTV cameras provide invaluable evidence that leads to the identification of suspects INQUIRER PHOTO

A tricycle driver accused of raping a woman and going after another potential victim has been charged with rape, acts of lasciviousness and frustrated robbery in the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.

Mc Yoren Rapis, 23, a resident of 3063 Maliklik St., Gagalangin, Tondo, was arrested after he was identified through the footage taken by closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed by barangay officials near the areas where he went after his victims.

He was presented on Thursday to Mayor Alfredo Lim by Jose Abad Santos police station chief Supt. Roderick Mariano.

Rapis was arrested in a follow-up operation on Tuesday after he was identified by a woman as the one who tried to rape her at 11 p.m. on Sunday on Juan Luna Street in Tondo.

The 24-year-old complainant said she was able to run away from the suspect as he was pulling her inside a jeepney parked on the street.

Following his arrest, Rapis was identified by another woman who went to the police station as the one who raped her at midnight on June 12 on Jose Abad Santos corner Corregidor Streets, also in Tondo.

The victim, a pharmacy assistant, told the police that she offered to give the suspect her cell phone and money, but he refused and told her he wanted to have sex with her, SPO1 Cielo Azares said.  Both incidents were captured by the CCTV cameras.

A third woman also went to the police station, this time to file a frustrated robbery complaint against Rapis.

The registered nurse told the police that the suspect tried to take her bag and cell phone at 10:30 p.m. on Monday on Tomas Mapua Street in Sta. Cruz.

According to Azares, Rapis was arrested for using marijuana when he was a minor and for driving without a license.

“There is something wrong with his mind,” Lim said as he noted that the suspect committed several crimes within just a few days. Rapis, however, denied the charges against him.

“His actions must be influenced by drugs. Based on witnesses’ accounts, he would go around the city and strike whenever he sees a chance,” Mariano said.

Originally posted at 07:51 pm | Thursday, June 20, 2013