By: Jaimie Rose Aberia
Police arrested an alleged motorcycle thief and recovered 10 motor vehicles in a follow-up operation in Tondo,, Manila, Thursday night.
The suspect, Allan Gabriele, 21, of Prudencia Street in Tondo, is now detained at the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 7.
MPD-Station 7 commander Supt. Rolando Gonzales said his team launched a follow-up operation following reports of robbery, carnapping, and riding-in-tandem cases.
Gonzales said he received a tip from an informant about the illegal trading of stolen motorcycles at the corner of Prudencia and Mercado Streets in Barangay 52.
His team raided the place and arrested Gabriele while his cohorts managed to escape.
Senior Inspector Ness Talento Vargas, who led the operation, said that they recovered 10 alleged stolen motorcycles worth P500,000 after the suspect failed to present documents.
Police also seized a two-way radio which the suspects reportedly used in their transactions.
Meanwhile, Gabriele denied that he is a motorcycle thief, saying he was in the area because he was waiting for his girlfriend. However, he admitted that his motorcycle is stolen and he bought it for only P4,000.
Gabriele will be charged with violation of Presidential Decree 1612 or Anti-Fencing Law.
