Caloocan City police yesterday warned motorists, particularly those tooling around in expensive vehicles, against a new modus operandi employed by robbers.
City police chief Superintendent William Macavinta said a Makati City-based motorist was on Tomas Morato Avenue, waiting for the traffic light to turn green, when a “beggar” approached him.
As he opened his car window to hand out some loose change, the beggar grabbed his arm as three other men, armed with handguns, boarded his Ford Escape pickup.
The beggar shoved the victim into the back seat and drove the vehicle toward Caloocan as the other suspects divested the victim of his belongings.
On Ipil street in Franville Subdivision, Caloocan North, the victim distracted his attackers and jumped out of the running vehicle. One of the suspects fired at him, hitting him in the arm.
Policemen found the victim’s Ford Escape abandoned in nearby Kalusugan street, still in Franville Subdivision.
The police said it was not clear whether the robbers planned the attack on the victim or if the victim was a random target.
The victim lost his attaché case, which contained personal checks from three banks; $12,000 and P11,000 in cash; credit cards and his driver’s license.