The Freeman

Ex-drug suspect pursued for theft

- – Brenda

A guard at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilita­tion Center has accused a former inmate he and his family has sheltered of stealing the money intended for his mother’s medication.

The guard, Timoteo Lucernas, said the incident happened over the weekend in San Francisco, Camotes where he lives. His family has just sold a parcel of land in the town to support his mother who is suffering from “aplastic anemia.”

Lucernas had the incident entered into the blotter at the San Francisco Police.

The former inmate, identified as Mark Bernal, allegedly stole from them P620,000 cash.

Bernal had lived with Lucernas’ family since last year when they took him after he was released from prison for drug charges.

Mary Jane Culminas Auman, the sister of Lucernas’ live-in partner, told reporters Bernal went to their store near CPDRC after his release in March last year and begged that he be allowed to stay with them as he had nowhere to go. Bernal, a native of Matina, Davao reportedly has no relatives in Cebu.

Auman said they welcomed Bernal and came to observe that he was very industriou­s and kind to them.

Last weekend, however, things reportedly looked different.

The family went to the beach with Bernal during which Bernal reportedly appeared annoyed. They went home at past 4 p.m. and surprising­ly, Bernal reportedly did not wash himself but instead went directly to his room.

Bernal reportedly told them he was going to meet his sister at a beach resort there and left at around 5 p.m. It was Lucernas’ live-in partner, Ruth, who reportedly saw the bag that contained the money already on the floor, the money already missing.

Auman said they immediatel­y followed Bernal to the resort but did not find him there.

A tricycle driver also identified Bernal as having flagged his vehicle and reportedly told him he was in a hurry to go to Ormoc City to meet his grandmothe­r who is bedridden. Bernal reportedly introduced himself as a bank employee.

In fact, the tricycle driver reportedly helped Bernal find a pump boat the latter could take to Ormoc City.

Lucernas said wants Bernal arrested so he could get his money back for his mother’s medication.

D. Batuto/JMO

 ?? JUN E. ROSAROSO
PAUL ?? Free from school on a Monday, these kids spend yesterday afternoon under the rain in the street.
JUN E. ROSAROSO PAUL Free from school on a Monday, these kids spend yesterday afternoon under the rain in the street.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines