Authorities Arrest Two Cousins for Robbing Taxi Driver in Caloocan
Two cousins, aged 26 and 19, were arrested after allegedly robbing a taxi driver in Bagong Barrio, Caloocan.
On early Wednesday morning (February 12, 2025), a taxi driver sought help from patrolling police officers in the area after being robbed two men.
According to Bagong Barrio substation commander PCapt. Mikko Arellano, the suspects reportedly pointed a gun at the taxi driver and took his cellphone and P1,600 in cash before fleeing toward Quezon City.
“Allegedly according to them, there is a certain group na galing ng Zamboanga. Pagdating dito sa Manila maghahanap sila ng trabaho, at dahil hindi sila makahanap ng trabaho ay nagri-resort sila sa pagnanakaw, panghoholdap at pang-iisnatch,” Arellano said.
The Quezon City Police District later intercepted the suspects in Balintawak after noticing their suspicious behavior.
Police officers positively identified the two men after the victim arrived at the scene. A .38 caliber firearm was recovered from the older suspect. However, the stolen items were not retrieved.
Further investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly notorious thieves in the area. CCTV footage from February 7 showed one of the arrested men attempting to snatch a cellphone from a man sitting on the roadside in General Tirona Street.
The robbery failed, and the suspects fled the scene on a motorcycle.
Authorities suspect the two are part of a larger group operating in the Caloocan and Balintawak areas. Reports indicate that the group may have come from Zamboanga, initially seeking jobs in Manila but resorting to theft and robbery after failing to find employment.
In a previous report, a jeepney robbery leaves 1 dead, 5 injured; suspect beaten by bystanders
The 19-year-old suspect admitted that they committed the crime because they needed money, adding that they had done similar thefts at least five times. His cousin confirmed that stealing had become their main activity.
“Kailangan lang namin ng pera panggastos, wala na po kasi kaming mahanap na pera kaya nagawa na namin yun.” the suspect said.
The two are now detained at the Bagong Barrio substation and face robbery charges. Police are also searching for other members of the alleged group involved in similar crimes in the area.
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