A supposedly enjoyable road trip between new acquaintances turned into misfortune when the man, whom the victim only met online, stole her belongings in Tanay, Rizal, the Rizal Police Provincial Office (Rizal PPO) said Monday, August 12.
The police identified the 21-year-old suspect as "Gelo” who was arrested in a dragnet operation on Friday, August 9.
According to the female victim, Gelo invited her on a road trip to Marilaque Highway in Tanay using his motorcycle.
Upon picking up the victim in Quezon City, the suspect asked her if she wanted to drive the motorcycle. He then instructed her to place her belongings inside the motorcycle's utility box compartment.
While cruising along Marilaque Highway, the victim said Gelo offered to switch places with her to drive the motorcycle.
Upon disembarking from the motorcycle, the suspect immediately fled from the scene abandoning the victim and taking with him her belongings.
The victim immediately reported the incident to the Tanay Municipal Police Station, prompting them to conduct a dragnet operation which led to the suspect's arrest.
Gelo is now detained at the Tanay Custodial Facility and is facing charges of theft as well as disobedience and resistance to an agent of a person in authority after attempting to escape and resisting the officers during the operation.
The Rizal PPO reminded the public to be cautious of such schemes.