The suspect in the theft of four mountain bikes worth P120,000 was arrested in an entrapment operation on Feb. 17 in La Trinidad, Benguet.
La Trinidad Municipal Police Station Chief, Maj. Cleff Vencio, said 20-year-old Ryman Dakiwas Begalan, Jr., a resident of the municipality, was arrested when he tried to sell one of the stolen mountain bikes worth P64,000 to an undercover cop.
Vencio said the suspect stole the Giant Aluxx mountain bike early morning of Feb. 17 based on the owner’s CCTV footage.
The suspect then tried to sell the bike on the same day through a social media account catering to bikers, which alerted the owner who immediately reported to the police, leading to a sting operation.
Police investigators discovered suspect was also responsible for the theft of three mountain bikes which were recovered and returned to their respective owners.
The recovered bikes were a Trinx mountain bike worth P24,600; Voyager 26er mountain bike worth P15,000; and Battle mountain bike worth P14,600.
Vencio said the owners of the stolen bikes filed separate theft charges against the suspect at the Benguet Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
Councilor Teddy Walang said the number of bicycle users in the municipality has doubled, prompting the local government to initiate programs for the protection and safety guide of bikers and motorists through the recently approved “Vulnerable Road Users” ordinance. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 20, 2024
