Indian trader loses cash, motorcycle to thieves

MANILA, Philippines – An Indian trader lost cash and motorcycle to two unidentified armed men during a broad daylight heist Tuesday in Caloocan City.

Police identified the victim as moneylender Lovepreet Kumar, 18, a resident of Araneta Village in Malabon City. The victim was divested of his blue XRM Honda motorcycle (UM-7378) and more than P1,000 cash to two gun-toting holdup men at around 9:45 a.m.

Kumar had just started his loan collection from his clients on board his motorcycle when two men with drawn handguns blocked his path along M. De Castro street in Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City. The suspects grabbed Kumar’s motorcycle and at gunpoint ordered the victim to alight from his vehicle. They also told Kumar to hand them his money. The gunmen fled on board the victim’s vehicle toward Reparo street.

Kumar reported the incident to the police but follow-up operation conducted by the Caloocan City police Station Investigation Branch-South failed to catch up with the robbers. The victim said the incident occurred despite the presence of bystanders but none of them dared to confront the armed robbers. – Pete Laude