A housemaid employed by TV host Amy Perez and reporter husband Carlo Castillo was arrested by police on Valentine’s Day for allegedly stealing the couple’s cash and belongings amounting to about P300,000.
Police said the suspect, Melrose Besano, 37, a native of Mandalagan, Bacolod City, was collared by operatives of the Quezon City Police District’s special operations unit (DSOU) around 4 p.m. of February 14.
Police said Castillo called them to arrest Besano after finding out the maid had been stealing their belongings while they were out for work.
Police said Besano has been working for Perez and Castillo for four years in their house on Mahabagin Street in Barangay Teacher’s Village.
Investigation showed that on February 13, the maid suddenly asked for the couple’s permission to allow her a two-week vacation.
The celebrity couple discovered her modus when homeowners association leaders went to their residence to charge them of their R12,000 monthly due for January, which, they already gave to Besano. Catsillo told police that they usually give their housemaid the needed money for their expenses.
This triggered Castillo to be suspicious and check their belongings. He found out that his three expensive watches were already missing.
Another housemaid reported to their employer that she saw three watches in Besano’s luggage.
Before the maid could leave, Castillo contacted police which led to her arrest.
The couple recovered from their maid the three watches amounting to P280,000 but not the P12,000 cash.
Police said Besano later admitted that for four years, she had also been looting groceries, clothes, and even toys of her employers’ children.
Besano faces qualified theft charges and is now detained at the DSOU office in Camp Karingal.
(Vanne Elaine P. Terrazola)
