Cops seize stolen Sto. Niño icons

Cebu City police recovered P26,000 worth of Señor Sto. Niño icons that were allegedly stolen from five stalls at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

Police arrested Joel Sargento, 40, the owner of the house in sitio Mahayahay, barangay Pasil, where the religious icons were recovered.

Police said Sargento will be charged for violation of the anti-fencing law.

Before the arrest, Sargento’s brother, a barangay worker, reported to the police that he discovered the religious icons stored in his brother’s house.

Sargento said three persons whom he identified as Ryan, Ralph and Buknoy entrusted the icons to him.

He said he was promised that he would be given a share for every icon sold.

Sargento said he didn’t know that these were stolen items.

Police said the icons were sold at P500 to P2,800 depending on its size.

Police said the recovered items could be part of the P30,000 worth of Sto. Niño images that were stolen from five stalls at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño last Wednesday.

Stall owners earlier reported the burglary to the police. CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON