Swindling suspect out on bail

The suspected swindler who had admitted to stealing millions in cash and valuables from different families in Negros Occidental was bailed out from jail last week, the police confirmed yesterday.

Jonathan Tomacruz, 27, alias Michael Contreras, posted bail for three arrest warrants on April 4, a week after he was transferred by Police Station 3 members to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Brgy. Handumanan, Bacolod, Police Station 3 commander, Chief Inspector Leonardo Borromeo, said.

“At least we already know who he is and his modus. We will know who to run after if something like it happens again,” Borromeo said.

Two of the warrants against Tomacruz were for theft charges from Iloilo City, while the third one was for robbery issued by a Bacolod court, he said.

Tomacruz and his girlfriend, Shiela Luable, 21, were nabbed by a police team led by Borromeo in Brgy. Bubog, Talisay City, in the province, on March 13, while they were on board a rented car on the way to the woman’s home.

Luable, a former Silay City Miss Tourism title-holder, posted bail three days after their arrest.

Shortly before his transfer to the BJMP, Tomacruz, who claims yo be from Pasay City, Metro Manila, told the DAILY STAR that he had indeed stolen money and properties from several people within three months.

He also said poverty had pushed him into illegal activities, which included stealing about P2 million in cash and valuables from at least 12 families from Bacolod and other areas in the province.*PP

back to top

No criminal charges filed
yet vs. 2 qualified theft suspects

The police yesterday released the two computer technicians suspected of stealing P190,000 worth of video game machines from their employer in Murcia town, Negros Occidental, after their detention period lapsed and no charges had been filed against them.

Ruben Busine, 37, of Filipina Street, Talisay City, in the province, and Francis Mendoza, 27, of Purok Kawayan, Brgy. Vista Alegre, Bacolod City, were released at about 10 a.m. yesterday, PO3 Danilo Pastro of the Murcia police station, said.

Pastro said their detention period expired at about 11 a.m. yesterday, but the managers of MYZ Amusement Corp. had not finalized the documents for the filing of cases against them.

He also said the company’s managers told them that they will process the documents for qualified theft charges next week.

Busine and Mendoza were nabbed by Police Station 1 members Monday and later turned over to the Murcia police after MYZ operations manager, Joemarie Antonio, 44, reported that they had pilfered at least 19 units of computer gaming machines worth P10,000 each, SPO3 Norberto de los Reyes said.

After the technicians’ arrest, all the items were recovered from several areas in Bacolod in follow-up operations, De los Reyes said.

Pastor, meanwhile, said Busine and Mendoza have told them that their extra-marital affairs had pushed them to commit the thefts.*PP

back to top