Security cameras caught the moment a man in the Philippines allegedly kidnapped an 8-year-old girl in a suitcase and wheeling her through the streets.
On Thursday, 8-year-old Jin Nichole You went missing from her family’s apartment in the district of Bakilid in Mandaue City, Cebu province.
The girl’s mother, Tyree Lanny Rendal, allegedly became alarmed when she returned home and didn’t see her young daughter. The mother reportedly checked the videos from the apartment’s security cameras and saw a man in a hoodie wheeling away a large black suitcase out of the building.
The girl’s family notified police, who then viewed security video from the neighborhood. CCTV video showed the man wheeling the suitcase through the streets.
Following a police search, the 8-year-old was tracked down to a boarding house less than half a mile from the girl’s apartment.
“Three hours after the incident came to the knowledge of the operatives, an intricate rescue police operation was immediately conducted paving the way to the successful rescue of the victim and the arrest of the suspect,” said Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas.
According to the Manilla Bulletin, Aberin said police “immediately utilized modern technology, in-depth investigation, and comprehensive intelligence resulting in the successful tracking of the suspect and the victim.”
The New York Post reported, “Amazingly, she was largely unharmed, except for minor scratches on her hands, feet, and mouth from allegedly being bound with duct tape.” The girl was reunited with her family.
Police arrested 32-year-old Godiflor Rama. The suspect purportedly worked as the caretaker at the family’s apartment building for more than a year. Rama allegedly knew the girl’s grandparents and abducted the 8-year-old over a feud.
“I hope the family can forgive me for what I did. I only did that because they were accusing me of stealing their belongings, like their bags and hangers,” the suspect allegedly said.
“I admit that the girl is attractive, but that doesn’t mean that I like her. I did not rape her. I did not sexually assault her,” the suspect stated, according to the Daily Mail.
Rama said he planned on returning the child to her family after six hours, according to reports.
The mother said, “I would like to thank the police and investigators from the bottom of my heart. They acted swiftly just to save my daughter.”
Aberin added, “I would like to recognize the very swift action of the Able, Active, and Allied police operatives of PRO-7 who participated in the rescue operation of the minor kidnap victim and the arrest of the kidnapper. Congratulations to all of you, and the PNP is very proud of you.”
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