Baguio City police are searching for a man who was caught on surveillance video stealing P100,000 worth of valuables from an apartment along Marcos Highway.

The footage, which was taken on May 3 at around 3:30 a.m., shows a man leaving an apartment carrying bags – one of which belongs to 29-year-old video editor Eric (not his real name).

Eric, who had been staying as a guest of one of the tenants, identified the thief as 23-year-old Joel Esteban Somera alias "Princess".

"Pagdating ko tulog na siya. Yung camera ko nilapag ko lang sa katabi ko. Nagising ako ng 6:00 a.m., wala na yung mga gamit ko," said Eric.

Among the stolen items were computer hard drives, clothes and cash all amounting to P100,000.

Peter Batuyong, the man who took in Somera as a tenant, admitted knowing the suspect's background as an ex-detainee at the Baguio City Jail.

"'Yung mga kasamahan ko, ako yung sinisisi kasi ako yung nagdala sa kaniya dito. Pero hindi naman porke’t nakulong siya before, hindi na siya magbabago. Bigyan natin siya ng chance magbago. Pero dahil sa ginawa niya, mukhang wala po talaga siyang balak magbago."

Police said Somera was convicted of estafa and was released April 19. A theft case has now been filed against Somera.

Anyone with information regarding Somera's whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Baguio City Police Office at 422–2662.

Homeowners are also advised to exercise utmost discretion in taking in tenants, especially strangers, police said