Japanese tourist falls prey to pickpockets

Two female members of a big-time pickpocket gang preying on tourists are now behind bars following their arrest after victimizing a Japanese national in a shopping mall in Ermita, Manila last Thursday evening.

Western Police District-General Assignment Section head Chief Inspector Arturo Paglinawan identified the suspects as Andrea Villaflor, 45, of Block 12, Lot 9, Barcelona Subdivision, Cavite, and Jean Manahan, 25, of 363 Pacheco corner Madrid streets, Tondo.

Investigations showed a Japanese tourist Hiroshi Fujikawa, 51, and several women companions were on an escalator of a shopping mall when the two suspects intentionally bumped him causing his shopping bags to fall.

Police said the suspects picked on the backpocket of the Japanese as he bent over to pick up the bags. The victim soon realized his wallet was missing when he was about to pay at the counter.

The alert women companions of the Japanese immediately ran after the suspects and found them outside the mall as they were about to board a taxi.

Through the assistance of the mall security guards, the two suspects were frisked and the tourist’s wallet was found in their possession. A cash totaling some P60,000, was found intact in the wallet. — Nestor Etolle