Police arrested a 41-year-old man after he allegedly stole avocados from a farm in Barangay Lourdes, Dangcagan, Bukidnon.
Authorities identified the suspect as Robert, who reportedly took the harvested avocados without the farmer’s consent earlier that day.
The barangay captain sought police assistance, prompting officers from the Dangcagan Municipal Police Station to respond immediately.
Police apprehended Robert and began transporting him to the station to face formal theft charges.
During transit, the suspect seized an opportunity to escape custody and ran toward a nearby residential area.
He forced his way into a house in Purok 1C and grabbed a pregnant woman inside.
The suspect held the woman at knife-point, using a kitchen knife, and threatened harm to avoid recapture.
Residents quickly alerted authorities, prompting officers to launch a focused containment and negotiation operation.
Joffrey Taghap, Officer-in-Charge of the Dangcagan Municipal Police Station, said the incident stemmed from a simple theft complaint.
He explained that fear of arrest pushed the suspect to escalate the situation into a dangerous hostage crisis.
Police negotiators engaged the suspect, maintained perimeter control, and applied tactical measures to ensure civilian safety.
After tense negotiations, officers subdued the suspect and secured the knife without further resistance.
Authorities safely rescued the pregnant woman and immediately transported her to a hospital for evaluation.
Medical personnel confirmed that the victim remained in stable condition after the traumatic ordeal.
Investigators filed charges of theft, hostage-taking, and resistance and disobedience against the suspect.
