‘Valentino’ foiled

A 22-year-old man, intending to splurge on wine and women on Valentine’s Day, succeeded in robbing a burger stand with his toy gun, but failed to escape the angry mob that went after him as he tried to run away from the crime scene early yesterday in Caloocan City.

Angry bystanders almost beat to a pulp George Villarit, of 142 BMBA Compound, 2nd Avenue, Caloocan City before responding policemen on patrol came to his recue by arresting him.

Recovered from the suspect was the P800 in cash he got from the burger joint.

Villarit told probers he needed the money for Valentine’s Day.

SPO2 Antonio Penaranda, case investigator, said Villarit sat down at a Burger Machine stand being tended alone by Violy Delorino, 19, around 12:30 a.m. at the corner of Mauban Street and A. Bonifacio Avenue, Quezon City, pretending to be a customer.

He, however, did not order the usual fries and burgers. As Delorino approached to get his order, Villarit pulled out a toy gun and held up Delorino.

Afraid of what she thought to be a real gun pointed at her, Delorino handed over the cash with nary a whimper to Villarit. The suspect then fled on foot but was apparently spotted by bystanders who gave chase.

Villarit was soon cornered at Busa and Tagaytay Streets, Barrio San Jose, where a patrolling PO2 Marco Antonio and PO1 Elpidio Espinosa collared and later brought him to the police station. – Jerry Botial