Suspected thief who posed as cell phone buyer online arrested
MANILA, Philippines—A suspected holdup man who posed as a cell phone buyer online ended up beaten up and behind bars, after being pursued by his alleged victim and a responding mob.
A report from the La Loma police station, under its commander, Superintendent Osmundo de Guzman, narrated the arrest on Monday of Robert Joaquin, 32, a resident of Metrovilla Subdivision in Valenzuela city.
On Monday, Joaquin allegedly robbed at knifepoint online seller Kirk Andrew Maglaya, 32, of Barangay (village) Tandang Sora, Quezon city, during an evening meetup in front of a church along A. Bonifacio, Barangay Pag-ibig sa Nayon, also in Quezon city.
Earlier that day, Joaquin had texted Maglaya, pretending to be interested in an iPhone 5s Maglaya was selling online. The two had agreed to meet up for the payment and the turnover of the item that evening.
But at 7:15 p.m. during the meetup, Joaquin only pulled out a fan knife at Maglaya, forcibly took the phone, and fled on foot.
Maglaya gave chase, all the while shouting for help, calling the attention of bystanders and four patrolling policemen who joined the pursuit.
Joaquin was eventually cornered and even beaten up by some of the pursuing bystanders.
The pursuing policemen from the La Loma Intelligence Section of the Station Investigation and Detective Management Branch arrested Joaquin and recovered the stolen cell phone.
Joaquin remains under custody of the station.
Joaquin is now facing complaints of robbery and concealment of a deadly weapon, at the city fiscal’s office, according to De Guzman.
Assistant city prosecutor Ulric Badiola recommended bail of P100,000 for the robbery complaint, and P2,000 for the concealment of deadly weapon complaint.
De Guzman said that another victim of Joaquin has come forward, alleging that Joaquin used the same modus operandi on him last May 7 in Grace Park, Caloocan city.
“We shall notify the concerned police unit with the development for their information and appropriate action,” De Guzman said.
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