5 arrested in Cavite streetlight wire theft

BACOOR CITY, Cavite — Five men were arrested following a police operation over the alleged theft of electrical wire connected to a streetlight in Sitio Centro, Barangay Zapote 3, Bacoor City, authorities said.

The suspects, identified only by the aliases Cristobal, Rogelio, Jhon, Francis and Roberto, are all adults, police said. The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. Sept. 5.

According to initial findings, barangay tanod on regular patrol spotted the group cutting electrical wire attached to a streetlight. The tanod attempted to chase the suspects, who fled, authorities said.

Rather than drop the case, the tanod carried out a follow-up investigation and manhunt that led to the suspects’ arrest, police said.

Authorities recovered about 20 meters of electrical wire, valued at roughly P5,000 pesos, along with two pairs of pliers believed to have been used to cut the wire.

The suspects were first brought to Barangay Zapote 3 for documentation before being transferred to the Bacoor Component City Police Station around 3:30 p.m. for further processing, police said.

The operation was led by Tanod Julio Romero Mandalupe and Tanod Gary Ledesma Mesqueriola, both barangay tanod in Zapote 3.

Authorities said the case goes beyond the loss of the wire itself, noting it could affect street lighting and residents’ safety at night, particularly in the barangay.

The incident is being investigated as a violation of Republic Act No. 7832, the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/Materials Pilferage Act of 1994.

Officials said documents are being prepared to file a complaint with the Bacoor City Prosecutor’s Office.