Widow robs to pay hospital bills

The end does not justify the means. Lorena Santiago, a 32-year-old widow, learned this lesson too late.

Santiago was arrested yesterday for trying to steal a gold necklace, worth P8,800, from a pawnshop in Malabon City. During police interrogation, she explained that she needed the money to pay the hospital bills of her nine-year-old son who is suffering from meningitis.

The police said Santiago earlier went to the Silver Lining Pawnshop located on Sanciangco Street in Barangay Tonsuya at around 11 a.m. and told sales clerk Aldrin Coleco, 21, that she wanted to buy a gold necklace.

Coleco showed her two necklaces, which Santiago rejected. When Coleco showed Santiago a third one, the widow allegedly grabbed the jewelry and ran away, said case investigator PO2 Peter Rios.

Coleco chased the suspect who was later collared by MMDA traffic enforcer Reynaldo Paras and Public Order and Safety Office (POSO)-Malabon volunteer Loreno Bacongallo. The necklace was recovered from Santiago.

Behind bars, the suspect said she was forced to commit the crime to be able to pay for her son’s hospital bills.

Santiago said her son is now confined at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. This is the first time she ever stole anything, she said.

Santiago said her financial problems to provide for her three children started when her husband died of a lung disease last year.