CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – There seems to be no more God for a burglar who swooped into five stalls beside the Basilica del Sto. Niño, taking at least 18 images of the Holy Child Friday.

However, good prevailed over evil after operatives of the City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office arrested the suspect, Joel Sargento, recovering from him the stolen images.

The 18 stolen images of Sr. Sto. Niño and one icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary were recovered following the Sargento’s arrest after owners of the five stalls burglarized last Thursday reported the robbery to Waterfront Police.

The five victims are Pierre Angelie Sapanta, 42, of Lower Acacia, Pardo Cebu City; Josephine Amora, 34, and Grace Amora, 50, both from Mambaling Cebu City; Conrada Bariñan, 29, of Pungtod Alaska Mambaling and Merlinda Batiller, 42.

Police who investigated the incident said the five discovered the break-in at 8 a.m. It was believed that the robbery happened at night or dawn while it was raining.

CIB operatives traced and arrested Sargento after receiving information from concerned citizens that they saw the stolen icons in his house in Pasil. But Sargento denied he stole the items, saying he just bought them from Ralph
Polisan, Benjamin Borromeo, and a certain Ralph that Thursday morning.