Snatcher swallows necklace in Pasay City

An 18-year-old married man swallowed the gold necklace he allegedly stole Saturday night in Pasay City before a crowd of angry bystanders collared and mauled him, police said.

Suspect Jonathan Gonzales of Barangay Sto. Niño, Pasay was rushed to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila for treatment. Hospital staff said Gonzales was indeed rushed there but their records did not mention any jewelry inside his stomach.

Case investigator Senior Police Officer SPO2 Antonio Conlu said the snatching incident happened at around 7:30 p.m. at the Baclaran LRT station.

Victim Jonathan Duterte, 25, of Pandacan, Manila was waiting for a ride to Parañaque with his parents, when, from out-of-nowhere, Gonzales appeared and grabbed the necklace. Duterete’s mother screamed for help which caught the attention of bystanders who collared the suspect.

Gonzales may have panicked and swallowed the necklace to hide the evidence. But it was too late. The crowed beat him up just the same.

Duterte appeared at the police station to report the incident. – Nikko Dizon