Authorities Arrest Suspect for Stealing Firearms of Retired Police General in Lucena City
Police authorities have recovered several firearms stolen from the home of a retired Police Major General in Lucena City.
The 48-year-old suspect, identified only by the alias Amanda, is a resident of Siniloan, Laguna. The arrest came after investigators launched an intensive operation to track down those involved in the reported theft at the retired officer’s residence in Barangay Gulang-gulang, Lucena City.
According to the Lucena City Police, investigators carefully reviewed CCTV footage from the area and conducted a backtracking operation.
During the investigation, authorities noticed a vehicle that was allegedly seen circling the victim’s neighborhood several times before the burglary happened.
Police officers later tracked the vehicle and followed it to a convenience store. There, authorities allegedly saw the driver remove a firearm from the waistband and place it inside the vehicle. It prompted officers to immediately move in and arrest the suspect.
After verifying the firearm, authorities confirmed that the seized Smith and Wesson caliber .38 revolver was one of the guns reported stolen from the retired police general’s home.
The arrest led to a series of follow-up operations in different areas. Police later recovered seven more firearms that were allegedly hidden in Infanta, Quezon, and Alaminos, Laguna. Among the recovered weapons were several pistols, revolvers, a rifle, and an Uzi submachine gun.
Authorities said all of the firearms were registered under the name of the retired police official. The successful recovery of the weapons was welcomed by law enforcement officials, who noted the importance of preventing firearms from falling into the wrong hands.
Investigators are now continuing their efforts to determine whether other individuals were involved in the theft and if additional evidence can be gathered.
The Lucena City Police are preparing to file appropriate charges against the suspect. These include possible violations of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, as well as charges related to the reported robbery incident.Â