Man who stole cop's automatic rifle nabbed while trying to sell it

A man in Taguig City was arrested for stealing a policeman’s automatic rifle from the victim's passenger van and which he later tried to sell online for almost half its P100,000 cost.

According to Emil Sumangil’s exclusive report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, the Pasig City Police said the suspect broke the window at the rear of the unattended vehicle which was parked at Barangay Bagong Ilog. He then gathered all the personal items lying on the seat as well as the Philippine National Police-issued Galil automatic rifle. 

“Sa pagmamadali daw niya para pumasok sa trabaho, naiwan niya yung kanyang baril na Galil sa loob ng kanyang van,” said Pasig Police chief investigator Police Maj. Loreto Tigno. 

(In his hurry to report to work, the policeman said he left his Galil rifle inside his van.) 

CCTV footage showed the suspect walking away from the scene carrying the stolen rifle that he covered with a piece of cloth as well as the other loot. 

From Pasig City, the suspect was seen on camera hanging from a jeepney along with the stolen items as he traveled to his house in Taguig City. 

Investigation revealed the rifle, which costs more than P100,000, was later being sold for P40,000 by the suspect who agreed to a transaction with a confidential police informant.

Cops then nabbed the suspect during the meetup. 

Now in police custody, the suspect refused to give any comment.

“Series of robbery na yung ginagawa niyang kaso hindi lang dito sa Pasig, nahuli na rin po siya sa Taguig,” said Tigno. 

(He’s been involved in a series of robberies not just here in Pasig, but also in Taguig.) 

Meanwhile, the cop victim was charged with an administrative case for losing his service rifle. He has yet to respond to GMA Integrated News. 

Further, the police warned the public not to purchase firearms without licenses and proper documentation. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News