Drug suspect, 9-year-old son nabbed for theft in Marikina

MANILA — Partners-in-crime?

A  40-year-old street dweller and his nine-year-old son were arrested on Wednesday after officials found out they connived in stealing food items and cell phones in Marikina City.

The street dweller and his eldest son, residents of Concepcion Uno, underwent inquest proceedings for theft charges on Wednesday afternoon after the complainants and the barangay watchmen recovered from their possession stolen items. (The Philippine Daily Inquirer is withholding the names of the father and his son for the sake of the boy. Under the laws protecting rights of the children, children named as respondents in criminal cases are exempted from criminal liability but are submitted for rehabilitation by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.  To facilitate their rehabilitation, they are not named in media and background details are withheld, too.)

According to PO3 Erwin Tacata, case investigator, the boy stole the Cherry mobile phone, cash, makeup kit and eyeglasses of Rufina Agurin inside the Bex Restaurant on Bugalon St.

The boy immediately ran away.  He, however, got back in action shortly after and allegedly stole the jar of chocolates and nuts of Jayson Ramos inside the St. Claire Subdivision.

Ramos, upon discovery of the theft, said he ran after the child and found out that the boy was headed toward his father. Barangay officers then responded to Ramos’ call for help and recovered from the father the stolen items, including three more stolen cell phones.

The street dweller denied he stole the items, saying another person handed him the bag with the loot.

The street dweller is currently detained at the Marikina City police station while the boy was turned over to the DSWD.  Agurin said they knew the boy as they used to give him food before.

Police said the street dweller admitted he was using shabu and was about to surrender to authorities and go home to Isabela before he was caught on Wednesday.

Speaking to investigators, the boy said his father was not a robber, and he did not teach him to steal.

Chief Inspector Eduardo Cayetano, chief of the station investigation unit of the Marikina City police, said the street dweller was on the city’s drug watchlist. He has three sons.  SFM/rga