2 Men Involved in Snatching Incident Arrested During Police Operation
Two men were arrested by the authorities after being linked to a snatching incident along Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila.
On early Saturday morning, January 17, 2025, the suspects, aged 20 and 26, were taken into custody following a police operation conducted just hours after the crime was reported.
The victim, a 22-year-old worker named Rustom Magbitang, was on his way home from work when the incident happened. At that time, public transportation was already limited, so he decided to ask for a ride from a passing toktok.
Magbitang believed it would help him get closer to home safely since the streets were mostly quiet.
After being dropped off near his destination, one of the men who was riding the toktok followed him. As they walked, the suspect casually talked to the victim and even placed an arm around him.
After a few moments, the suspect asked for the time. When the victim took out his phone to check, the man suddenly grabbed it and ran away.
The victim tried to chase the suspects but was unable to catch them. A motorcycle rider nearby noticed what happened and attempted to help by following the fleeing men, but they managed to escape at that moment.
“Sabi ko, sir, anong nangyari? Na-snatch-an ako, sabi noong biktima. Triny kong habulin, nag-counter flow pa ako doon e. Wala na akong naabutan talaga e,” rider Eduardo Lorica said.
Police quickly launched a follow-up operation and were able to locate and arrest both the snatcher and the toktok driver in the Port Area of Manila later that same morning.
In another post, a snatcher arrested after stealing French national’s cellphone at EDSA busway
Authorities revealed that the suspects had no money and targeted the victim because they were already familiar with committing such crimes. Records also showed that the two had been previously jailed for theft-related cases.
Both suspects admitted their involvement in the incident. Police also recovered a pen gun from one of them, which led to an additional charge for illegal possession of firearms. The two men are now detained at the Ermita Police Station and are facing theft charges.
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