Maid’s attempt to steal actor-councilor’s vault foiled

A housemaid of actor and Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas was arrested while in a taxi cab with a small vault allegedly stolen from the victim’s  house on Thursday night.

Senior Insp. Roberto Razon, chief of the investigation section of Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) Station 6, identified the suspect as Clarita Mahinay, 56, of Leyte province.

Razon said Mahinay, who had been employed by Vargas since September, had confessed to the crime and has been charged with  qualified theft in the office of the  city prosecutor, with no bail recommended.

The police official said Mahinay had admitted she was  a member of a  syndicate victimizing rich families.

The suspect also pointed to other members of the group who had convinced her to steal the  vault from Vargas’ house on  T. Victoriano Street, Don Antonio Heights in Barangay Holy Spirit.

Razon said the vault contained land titles, pieces of jewelry and cash.

Police said Mahinay claimed she received a call from a man telling her that her employer was hurt in a vehicular accident and needed money, and  that she had to bring the vault containing cash to a designated area.

The timely arrival of the actor’s personal assistant, Helen Lagaras, prevented Mahinay from running away  with her loot.

Upon discovering the theft, Lagaras immediately alerted  the subdivision’s security guards  to stop the cab from leaving   the area.

The personal assistant,  a niece of the suspect, said it was she who had recommended Mahinay for the post, Razon said.

The police official said Mahinay had asked for forgiveness from the actor-politician.

The maid also told investigators she wanted to use the money to purchase a tricycle to help her cash-strapped  family.