A foreign national suspected of robbing multiple apartment units in Dagupan City was caught by police after a series of reported thefts in the area.

Closed circuit television (CCTV) footage showed the man entering an apartment unit in Barangay Tapuac on the night of May 21. According to the apartment owner, the suspect broke into nine units forcibly and took valuable items.

“Laptop, cellphone, wallet, tablet, mga gadgets po,” Jemuel Pangan, the apartment owner, said.

Barangay officials said the man left behind most of the stolen gadgets during his escape, which were recovered in a nearby alley. However, some cash was still missing.

The suspect, identified as an African national residing in the same barangay, has committed several thefts allegedly in the past.

“Unang-una, mga kasama niyang foreigner din, ninanakawan. Maraming nagre-report sa barangay,” Barangay Councilman Rodolfo Bruno said.

“May previous case sa Baguio, May 12, nagnakaw rin siya sa Pantal,” Lawrence Fernandez, another barangay councilman, added.

On May 23, the same man was caught stealing again in Barangay IV. When he was turned over to the police, authorities discovered he had an outstanding arrest warrant for robbery issued in February this year.

“Ang style ng suspek na ito, nagpapanggap na mag-rent ng house. ‘Pag nasa loob na, iba na ang ginagawa,” PLtCol. Brendon Palisoc, Dagupan City Police Chief, said.

The suspect is now in police custody.