Taxi driver ‘wanted’ for robbing 4 women, raping 1

MANILA — Police have launched a manhunt for a taxi driver who has allegedly robbed at least four women and raped one of his victims in Mandaluyong City in the last three months.

The suspect, identified as Ricky Ramos, allegedly robbed at gunpoint his victims while the women were aboard the taxi he was driving. Not content with robbing his most recent victim of her belongings, the suspect who appeared to have a penchant for committing his crime on the 19th of every month, also raped her.

Senior Supt. Joaquin Alva, Mandaluyong police chief, said on Monday that the latest victim was on her way home to her apartment in Makati City, last March 19 when she hailed Ramos’ cab (AAP 7886) along Pines Street in Barangay Highway Hills at around 4 a.m.

Upon reaching the corner of Union and Madison Streets, the suspect then held at gunpoint the 22-year-old victim who was seated beside him. Ramos then took her bag containing her two mobile phones, cash of P6,000 and several pieces of silver jewelry.

Alva said that before leaving her on the roadside, the suspect ordered the victim to transfer to the back seat of the vehicle, where he sexually abused her. Police later recovered the abandoned vehicle in Makati City with some of the victim’s belongings.

The attack on the 22-year-old by the suspect, who has pending robbery cases at the regional trial courts of Manila and Makati, is the most brazen yet he committed, according to police.

On Jan. 19, Ramos also robbed at gunpoint his passengers Kristine dela Cruz and Kristine Quiros while they were at the corner of Sheridan and William Streets in Barangay Highway Hills at around 1:40 a.m. The suspect was able to take off with Dela Cruz’s mobile phone and bag containing her identification cards and cash of P1,000.

The two victims, however, weren’t able to get the license plate of Ramos’ vehicle.

Last Feb. 19, Ramos also held at gunpoint Shiary Mae Berdin while they were in front of a mall along Edsa Mandaluyong at around 2:40 a.m. The suspect forcibly took from Berdin her bag containing her mobile phone, gadgets, credit card and cash of P22,000.

Berdin told police that the vehicle used by Ramos at the time had the license plate UWK 405.

Alva said on Monday, that Ramos was identified by all four victims through a rogue gallery that was presented to them. He added that they were still looking for the suspect after the police did not find him at his supposed hideouts in Barangays Addition Hills and Harapin ang Bukas.  SFM