Cabbie runs off with passenger's bags and cash

CEBU, Philippines - Police are confident they will soon be able identify the taxi driver who fled with over P100,000 cash and valuables owned by his Japanese passenger outside a mall in Barangay Apas last Saturday.

SPO2 Willard Selibio of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said that through the mall’s security camera, they were able to determine the body number of the cab that fled with the luggage of Takoto Kurata, 22.

Selibio said around 8 p.m. last Saturday, Kurata, a resident of Yokohama, Japan, boarded a cab from a hotel in Barangay Capitol Site to Gaisano Country Mall. He was with three other Japanese friends.

Kurata placed his things at the cab’s baggage compartment and told the driver to go to Barangay Apas.

When they reached the area, the four foreigners got off the cab. Kurata was about to get his things from the compartment when the driver suddenly sped off.

The four chased the cab but to no avail. Kurata said his bags contained P100,000; 32,000 yen; a laptop; iPad; passport; attaché case and clothes.

The foreigners, who failed to get the cab’s license plate number or body number, then sought assistance from the police.

The incident was captured by a security of the mall, Selibio said.

Yesterday, the operator of the security cameras reported for work and the police, together with Kurata, saw the footage of the incident.

“We conducted a thorough viewing and naa’y development. Nakuha na namo ang body number sa taxi and i-check ni namo sa Land Transportation Office-7 ugma,” Selibio said yesterday.

Selibio said the footage showed the four Japanese running after a cab. —(FREEMAN)