MANILA, Philippines – Two of three men who allegedly robbed the passengers of a public utility jeepney in Caloocan City were arrested Saturday.
Senior Superintendent Jude Santos, city police chief, said Francis Vital, 31, and Macjess Suspa, 23, both residents of Bagong Barrio, were nabbed at around 12:15 a.m.
A mobile patrol team led by Senior Police Officer 1 Rogelio Carreon and Police Officer 2 Arnold Maningning also impounded the suspects’ getaway tricycle (TY-1772).
Roldan Reyes, 20, a resident of Grace Park, Caloocan City, had just stepped down from a passenger jeepney at the corner of 7th Avenue and Rizal Avenue Extension in Barangay 109 when the two suspects approached and robbed him of his mobile phone and P4,300.
After getting hold of the loot, the robbers boarded a waiting tricycle reportedly driven by Jonathan Gabriel, also a resident of Bagong Barrio.
Reyes was able to seek assistance from a passing police patrol team, who chased the fleeing suspects’ tricycle.
When the police were about to catch them, the suspects stopped the vehicle and ran in different directions.
Police recovered Reyes’ mobile phone from Vital and Suspa, but failed to recover the money, which was reportedly taken by Gabriel.
Police said the three suspects and their tricycle were often seen along C-3 Road in Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City and on Letre Road in Malabon City, especially at midnight.
Police said robbers prefer to attack commuters along C-3 Road, Dagat-Dagatan Avenue, and Letre Road because despite being major thoroughfares, the highways are unlighted. – Pete Laude