A man who snatched the cellular phone of a receptionist was arrested by policemen who were conducting visibility operations in Las Piñas City on Friday, April 14.
Col. Jaime Santos, city police chief, identified the suspect as Arwen Cuadra, 23.
Santos said the victim was about to board a public utility vehicle (PUV) when the suspect, along with two cohorts, suddenly appeared and snatched her iPhone 13 Promax model worth P70,000.
The victim shouted for help, which caught the attention of policemen from the Pilar substation who were patrolling the area as part of visibility operations, leading to a chase.
Cuadra was arrested at around 3:40 p.m. along Alabang-Zapote Road in Barangay Almanza, Las Piñas City, while his two cohorts eluded the arrest.
Police recovered an 11-inch long ice pick from the suspect.
The suspect was detained at the Las Piñas police custodial facility, facing charges for robbery and illegal possession of a bladed weapon.