An ordinary trip to buy some lunch turned into a suspense-filled moment Friday for the pastor of the United Church of Christ in Dumaguete, after a person entered and commandeered the church vehicle as their driver was buying roasted chicken.
Arnel Francisco, chairman of the Dumaguete UCCP church council, reported that Rev. Minda Esquierdo was in the L-300 van when the incident took place.
“The suspect, not minding our Pastor, went inside and sped off with the vehicle,” Francisco posted on social media.
Luckily, Rev. Esquierdo was able to get out from the vehicle unharmed and called for police assistance as the church driver gave chase on foot and hung on to the vehicle. He, however, sustained some bruises after he jumped from the vehicle as it was speeding away.
The swift response of the Dumaguete City Police cornered the vehicle as it was backing at bakery.
Francisco said charges will be filed by the Highway Patrol Group and follow up operations are conducted to arrest the cohorts of the arrested suspect .
Police identified the suspect as Suspect Seth Rellen Apala, 36 years old of Totongon, Mutia, Zamboanga del Norte. He admitted he is a member of a carnapping group based in Luyang, Siquijor, Siquijor. (MP)
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