X-ray reveals necklace inside thief’s stomach

A snatcher was pinned down by Mandaluyong City police yesterday when an X-ray revealed that he had swallowed the evidence.

Suspect Rodolfo Barba, 23, of Antipolo Street, Barangay Calbayog immediately admitted having taken the P12,000 necklace of his victim after being confronted by Superintendent Sukarno Ikbala, Mandaluyong City police chief, of the results of his stomach X-ray.

Barba is now behind bars at the Mandaluyong City detention center. Ikbala said they are waiting for Barba to relieve himself so that the evidence against him can be recovered.

The victim, Elnora Villarez, of No. 21 Bayabas Street, Barangay Comembo, Makati City, said she and her nephew were waiting for a ride home at EDSA Central in Mandaluyong when Barba grabbed her gold necklace.

Villarez shouted for help which caught the attention of Tony Santos, 25, a security guard securing a nearby establishment.

Santos, of the Leopard Security Agency, tripped Barba when he passed by him while running to escape. Barba fell to the ground and was promptly collared by Santos.

But when confronted, Barba vehemently denied the charges against him.

However, Villarez claimed he saw Barba swallowing the necklace in the heat of his attempted getaway.

Senior Inspector Efren Jugo, the local police investigation chief, brought Barba to the nearest hospital and subjected the suspect to an X-ray, which showed the necklace in his stomach.

Ikbala said robbery charges will be filed against Barba while his bowels remain pending.