A suspected chicken thief is now behind bars after being caught red-handed stealing a prized fighting rooster in Naga City, Cebu. The incident, which led to a dramatic chase and arrest, unfolded late last Friday evening.
Late-Night Theft Attempt Foiled
The arrest occurred around 10:30 PM on Friday, January 9, 2026, in Purok 1 of Barangay Mainit, Naga City. The suspect was identified as Lloyd Clent Villegas Garbo, also known as "Recmar," a 25-year-old single man from Barangay Langub in the town of Argao.
According to the official report from the Naga Police Station, the complainant, Kyle Alferez Fernandez, 21, a resident of the area, was alerted by his dog's persistent barking. "The owner's dog barked intensely, which prompted them to check. They found the suspect placing the chicken inside a sack," revealed Police Master Sergeant Ariel Yap, the case investigator.
Chase and Capture with Community Help
Upon discovery, a chase ensued. Fernandez, with the help of alert neighbors, pursued the fleeing suspect. Their coordinated efforts led to Garbo's capture. Authorities noted that police personnel on roving patrol in the vicinity were also notified and assisted in the arrest.
Recovered from the suspect was a gray igtatari (fighting rooster) valued at P3,000. The chicken was returned to its rightful owner.
Police Probe Ongoing for Possible Accomplices
Police are not ruling out the possibility that the suspect had accomplices. Investigators find it suspicious that Garbo traveled all the way from Argao, which is a considerable distance from the crime scene in Naga City.
"We have not dismissed the chance that he had companions, given how far his residence is from where the incident happened," added PMSG Yap. The suspect claimed to have been staying with relatives in Naga. The Naga Police Station continues to investigate the suspect's background and the full circumstances of the case as they prepare formal charges for theft.
The suspect is currently detained at the Naga Police Station while the case is being processed.
