2 female thieves nabbed in Sta. Cruz

MANILA, Philippines - Two female ;robbers and their male protector were arrested by the police after snatching the gold necklace of a female commuter in Sta. Cruz, Manila Tuesday.

Superintendent Ernesto Fojas Jr., chief of the District Intelligence Division of the Manila Police District, said the suspects, Veronica Reyes, 32; Janice Mendoza, 27; and Rheymar Labitan, 30, have been preying on commuters, mostly women, along Rizal Avenue by snatching their valuables and jewelry.

“I immediately dispatched a team of police operatives in the area to neutralize the group, especially now that the opening of classes is fast approaching when students are vulnerable to their criminal activities,” Fojas told The STAR.

At around 5:30 p.m. while a group of intelligence operatives were patrolling along Rizal Avenue, they noticed a commotion wherein a woman was shouting for assistance after her necklace was snatched by the suspects. Wasting no time, the cops ran after the suspects, resulting in the arrest of the three.

The victim said Reyes was the one who snatched her necklace worth P12,000, while Mendoza tried to shield her away from running after the snatcher. Labitan admitted acting as the protector of the women-suspects against any one who would assist the victim. Fojas said his men recovered the loot, including its pearl pendant.

Charges of robbery-snatching were filed against the three suspects, even as Fojas assured commuters of continuous police patrol in the area against other criminals.