Two noted rob suspects fall

Two suspected notorious robbers operating in the Carbon market were arrested in two separate incidents, one of them after his 17-year-old female would-be victim put up a fight for her wristwatch the other night.

The suspect who was arrested yesterday was identified as Joel Tampus, 29, a resident of L. Flores Street, barangay Pasil, who was collared by patrolling barangay tanods of Ermita after the incident.

SPO4 Rica Aying of Carbon police station said Tampus tried to rob Maria Dora, 17, and Madelyn Barba, 20 both residents of Juana Osmeña Extension, barangay Capitol Site.

The two were on onboard a jeepney bound for the southern part of the city, when the vehicle reached Magallanes Street in sitio Lawis, barangay Ermita, Tampus got on and sat beside Dora.

The victims were surprised when Tampus suddenly pulled out a knife and held it against Dora's side and declared hold-up, the suspect then took Barba's Nokia 3210 cellular phone without much hassle because the woman did not resist for fear of her safety.

But as the suspect grabbed Dora's wristwatch, the latter fought him off.

The commotion inside the jeepney caught the attention of patrolling Ermita barangay tanods Guillermo Carabaña, Gilbert Carabaña and Makod Sultan who immediately responded and collared Tampus.

Tanods were able to recover Barbas' cellphone and a knife from Tampus who was then brought to the police station.

Dora was taken to the Cebu City Medical Center after hurting her elbow during the struggle, Aying said that the victim is scheduled to have her elbow wrapped with plaster cast.

A few hours later, PO3 Romeo Lausa of the same police station arrested Napoleon Caren, 33, a resident of barangay Pasil.

Aying said Lausa first spotted Caren who was "acting suspiciously" along Magallanes Street while the policeman was patrolling onboard his motorcycle.

Lausa discreetly followed Caren but when the suspect saw Lausa he immediately got on a jeepney, but Lausa caught up with him and ordered him to disembark.

During the search, Lausa found a fan knife and a pack of suspected shabu from Caren and arrested him.

Caren reportedly resembled the desription of a robber given to them by some robbery victims in the said market, including the mother of Mobile Patrol Group chief Arnel Banzon.

Police then called on the previous victims to identify him, Aying said that at least ten victims have identified Caren as the one who robbed them while on board a PUJ at the said area.

"Kini si Caren ang estilo ani mosikit sa pasahero unya pangayuon imong mga singsing ug mga alahas unya kung mosupak gani iya kang hulagon nga dunggabon," Aying said.

Additional complainants are due to visit the said police station today after police informed them them about the arrest. - Edwin Ian Melecio