An ongoing investigation from the Hohola Minor Crimes Division has led to the arrest of an employee of Ela Motors and the recovery of nine outboard motors.
National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Warrick Simatab confirmed that the investigators from Hohola Minor Crimes had recovered a total of nine outboard motors at Fishermen Island and are now kept as exhibits. He further added that, according to the police, it was alleged that the offense was committed between October 2024 and August 2025, where the employee who was arrested allegedly conspired with villagers from Fishermen Island and sold the outboard motors to them.
Metsupt Simatab said that after the arrest of the suspect in September, the police officers worked diligently to locate the stolen outboard motors, which included eight 40-horsepower engines and two 15-horsepower engines. He stated that eight of them were recovered at Fishermen Island today and are now stored as exhibits to be presented in court.
“I want to thank the police officers from Hohola and the Water Police team who worked together to recover the outboard motors and brought them in for further police investigation. I also want to thank the community leaders who assisted in providing information about the whereabouts of the stolen items that led to their recovery. I want to encourage the community to work closely with the police by providing information about stolen items, information on criminals, and other community awareness programs. This will lead to making communities safer for everyone,” Metsupt Simatab said.
Metsupt Simatab said the investigation into how these outboard motors were stolen is progressing well.