Pasay City Police Arrest Two Men in Viral Motorcycle Theft
Pasay City police apprehended two men on the night of June 3, following an eight-day investigation. The suspects became viral on Facebook due to their involvement in the theft of a parked motorcycle. Authorities swiftly acted after the video gained widespread attention.
Col. Joselito De Sesto, chief of Pasay City Police, identified the suspects as Jonard, 42, a scavenger, and John Michael, 21, both residents of Pasay City. The stolen vehicle belonged to Aaron Carl, 24, a dog trainer from Anabu, Imus, Cavite City.
Incident and Investigation Details
Aaron Carl reported that on May 26, at approximately 2 a.m., he was riding his Honda PCX 160 along Roxas Boulevard near Buendia Avenue when fatigue forced him to stop on the southbound lane. While resting, unidentified assailants struck him on the head, causing him to lose consciousness.
When he woke up, his motorcycle was gone. He immediately reported the theft to the police, who then conducted a scene inspection. The police noted poor lighting and no CCTV cameras in the area, complicating the initial investigation.
Local authorities interviewed several witnesses, including Jonard, who initially claimed he had been riding his bicycle and helped the victim when he found him unconscious. However, further investigation contradicted his statement.
Viral Video and Evidence Lead to Arrests
The incident went viral on Facebook after a user named Aris shared the story. Police reviewed CCTV footage from nearby barangays 10, 11, 12, and 76, which showed Jonard with two other men riding a bicycle with a front carrier. The footage depicted them pushing and parking the stolen motorcycle on the roadside before speeding off towards Roxas Boulevard and EDSA.
A witness named John Mark identified John Michael as the man seated on the bicycle’s front carrier, with Jonard as the driver. His testimony helped confirm the suspects’ involvement.
Suspects Admit Guilt, Third Accomplice Sought
Both suspects admitted to the crime and revealed that a third accomplice, described as a gay individual, was responsible for selling the stolen motorcycle. Police are currently searching for this third suspect.
Charges of carnapping have been filed against Jonard and John Michael. In addition, Jonard faces a perjury charge for his initial false statement.
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