Cabbie nabbed for robbing passenger

A taxi driver, believed to be a member of the “Ipit Taxi” robbery gang, was arrested yesterday hours after allegedly robbing an advertising agent of her cell phone and cash in Mandaluyong City.

Senior Superintendent Carlos de Sagun, Mandaluyong City police chief identified the suspect as Ironillo Robles, 47, a driver of TFE taxi (TWN-451).

De Sagun said Robles was identified by victim Myla Beltran, 33, a computer advertising agent, as one of two men who robbed her Saturday night near the Quiapo Church in Manila.

Beltran said she had just attended Mass at Quiapo church when she flagged down the taxi driven by Robles at around 7 p.m.

She asked Robles to take her to her sister’s house along Taft Avenue in Malate, Manila. However, before the taxi could speed off, another suspect suddenly boarded the vehicle and sat beside Beltran.

Robles stepped on the gas as his companion took out a fan knife, announced the heist, and took Beltran’s Nokia N70 cell phone and cash amounting to P4,500.

Robles drove on and asked Beltran to step out the vehicle when they reached Shaw Boulevard near EDSA, then proceeded toward Quezon City.

Beltran reported the incident to the Mandaluyong City police and De Sagun coordinated with the taxi operator.

Robles was arrested while driving a taxi along Shaw Boulevard. The police are conducting follow-up operations to catch Robles’ companion. – Non Alquitran