Man Arrested for Stealing Cellphones From Stores in Marikina City
A 51-year-old man was arrested after stealing a cellphone from a store in Barangay Sto. Niño, Marikina City.
On Thursday morning, November 27, 2025, the suspect failed to escape when patrolling police officers caught up with him. Authorities were able to recover the stolen phone worth around P6,000.
According to the Marikina police, the man had been involved in multiple theft incidents in the area, often targeting small stores that left cellphones unattended. Though a resident of Antipolo City, he would regularly travel to Marikina and nearby communities to commit theft.
Police Colonel Jenny Tecson, Officer-In-Charge of the Marikina City Police Station, explained that the suspect used a salisi-style approach. He would pretend to be a customer, ask about items, and distract the store attendant.
When the seller looked away, he would quietly take the cellphone and leave before anyone noticed.
Several CCTV videos captured his actions. In one store in Barangay Parang, he repeatedly ordered items while checking what seemed to be a list. When the seller looked aside, he quickly took her phone.
Another video from Barangay Concepcion Uno showed him swiftly reaching for a cellphone on the counter and walking away.
The suspect admitted to committing the series of thefts. He had just been released in April after serving 15 years in prison for a drug-related case. He claimed he resorted to stealing because of poverty and said he had no stable job. He would sell the stolen phones for only P1,500 to P2,000 to get quick money, often reformatting them before disposing of them.
Authorities reminded the public that buying stolen items is a crime under the anti-fencing law. With theft cases rising during the ‘Ber’ months, the PNP urged everyone to stay alert, secure their belongings, and avoid bringing valuables that may attract thieves.
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