Nigerian nabbed for car theft

A Nigerian national was arrested for allegedly stealing a friend’s car in Lapu-Lapu City.

Yusuf Abubakar, 25, who lives in Collinwood Subdivision in barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu, was arrested while on board the KIA Rio sedan owned by Jenifet Verances.

Police investigation showed that the car with plate number YJN-123 was borrowed by Verances’ sister Angely Montoya last July 10.

Verances told police that her sister drove the car to Collinwood Subdivision with Abubakar as her passenger.

Montoya had just parked the car when Abubakar suddenly grabbed the car key.

Abubakar drove off, leaving Montoya behind.

Senior Insp. Jose Nilo Abello, chief of Theft and Robbery Section of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said they received a tip Friday night that the car was seen parked outside Parkmall at the Mandaue Reclamation Area.

No one was inside the car when police arrived.

Police waited for the driver to arrive.

Abubakar later showed up and boarded the car when he was arrested by police.

Abubakar told police that he had no intention of stealing the car. He said he wanted to borrow the car since he had friends to pick up.

Montoya refused to lend the car since Abubakar had no driver’s license. A charge for carnapping will be filed against Abubakar, police said.

In a separate incident, a 26-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly tried to steal a motorcycle in barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu Friday evening.

The suspect was identified as Joey Tumulak.

Lenly Monterola, 62, said he saw Tumulak trying to drive off with the motorcycle which was parked in S. Osmeña Street.

Monterola sought help from traffic enforcers Ricky Yanes and Alex Pacaldo that led to Tumulak’s arrest.  /CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA