Security guard John Ignalaga caught Darwin Villa Francisco, 19, single, of 532 R. Papa Street, Manila, at around 2:10 p.m. in the act of stealing a big can of Pringles potato chips from the imported items sold at I-Mart located at Mayon Corner Apo Street, La Loma, Quezon City.
Ignalaga said Francisco entered the convenience store around 1:30 p.m. and went around the store pretending to be looking for some items he wanted to buy.
The alleged shoplifter was seen getting a basket in which to put the items but kept going around the store.
The security guard said he saw Francisco, from a big reflector-mirror, step in the area where cans of different flavors of Pringles were displayed.
Unaware of the mirror behind him, Francisco got one can of the imported potato chips and kept it inside his polo as he rushed to get out of the store.
But even before he could get out, Ignalaga collared him and brought him to one corner of the store. The guard ordered him to bring out the Pringles but he denied taking anyhing from the shelf.
Francisco finally brought out the can and begged the store crew not to report the matter to the police. He said he was tempted to steal because even as a child he had not tasted imported candies and chips.
Charges are being readied against Francisco who is detained at the Central Police District-Station 1 (La Loma). – Pia Lee-Brago