TAGAYTAY CITY – A fair warning to supermarket customers – keep your bags closed and right in front of you and be aware of people around you when shopping.
Authorities recorded a pickpocketing incident in Barangay Maharlika East on Tuesday, June 28.
The Tagaytay City Police Station said four pickpockets pretending to be customers gathered around the victim who was busy shopping for groceries.
"Sinisiksik siya ng mga suspect, kunwari namimili ng mga paninda sa noodles section. Nakaramdam 'yung biktima na sinisiksik siya (The suspects surrounded the victim and pretended to be shopping at the noodles section. The victim felt that they were pushing her)," investigator-on-case Senior Master Sergeant Jude L. Camitan told the Manila Bulletin.
One of the suspects, identified as Maricel A. Dariagan, then took P14,000 from the victim's bag.
The victim was able to grab the suspect and constrain her while shouting for help from the security guards, resulting in her arrest.
But the suspect had already passed on the money to her three accomplices who ran in separate directions and got away.
Dariagan is under police custody and is facing theft charges.