Suspects Reynard Vincent, 20 and Elmo Mendoza, 37, both residents of Nakar street, San Andres, Manila, had been on the list of the Makati police’s wanted list for a series of cell phone and bag snatching incidents in the last 12 months.
The two suspects were apprehended Monday night, thanks in large part to 32-year-old Remedios Estrebillo, a resident of Mascardo street in Barangay Bangkal, Makati City.
According to PO2 Ricky Mel Corpuz of the Theft and Robbery Section of the Makati police, the incident happened at around 6:30 p.m. along Apolinario street near Mascardo Street.
Estrebillo was walking home from work when the two suspects on board a motorcycle pulled up beside her.
Vincent, who was sitting at the back, grabbed the shoulder bag of Estrebillo in an attempt to take it away.
However, Estrebillo held on to her bag and refused to let go even as Vincent tugged at it with all his might.
Vincent then struck Estrebillo on her face in desperation, but the woman kept hanging on to her bag.
Mendoza reacted by trying to move the motorcycle forward, which caused Estrebillo to fall down while still hanging on to her bag.
The weight of the falling Estrebillo pulled down Vincent who was holding on to the other end of the bag. Off-balanced, the driver of the motorcycle also fell to the ground.
Estrebillo managed to get up before the two suspects then shouted for help.
Bystanders heard her cries for help and immediately approached the two suspects and beat them up.
Estrebillo, who suffered a bruised eye, a lump on the forehead and a broken foot, was brought to a nearby hospital where she was treated.
The two suspects, on the other hand, were brought to the Makati police headquarters where they were detained.
Corpuz said that he has called up all of the other snatching victims to come out and identify the apprehended suspects. – Marvin Sy