A 22-year-old pedicab driver who was just released from prison landed again in jail after stealing a construction worker's cellphone in Barangay San Isidro, Makati City on Thursday, June 12.
At A Glance
- Investigation showed that the suspect had been arrested for other crimes before, including robbery, illegal gambling, and illegal drugs. He had also been committed to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) twice in 2021 and 2024 for similar offenses.
The Makati City Police identified the suspect as "Oliver," a resident of Maricaban, Pasay City.
Further investigation revealed the suspect had been arrested for other crimes before, including robbery, illegal gambling, and illegal drugs. He had also been committed to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) twice in 2021 and 2024 for similar offenses.
Based on the police report, police officers of Makati Police Sub-station 3 were conducting their routine patrol when they saw the suspect running along Batangas toward Buendia Avenue while being chased by the victim loudly shouting “Pulis! Pulis! Tulong! Yung magnanakaw naka-itim na damit tumatakbo, dala ‘yung cellphone ko (Police! Police! Help! The guy in black took my cellphone!)," prompting them to go after the suspect as well.
Oliver tried to escape from the pursuing officers by scaling over a fence into a vacant lot in Barangay Palanan, but was intercepted and apprehended.
The police recovered the stolen cellphone from the suspect worth P7,000.
During the police proceedings, the victim said the suspect forcibly destroyed the lower right portion of their barracks' main gate to gain entry and took his cellphone while he was asleep.
Oliver was charged with Robbery under Article 293 of the Revised Penal Code.
Makati Police chief Col. Jean Dela Torre praised the quick and decisive actions of the responding officers and reiterated the city police's strong stance against street crimes and repeat offenders.
“Our patrol teams remain ever-vigilant, and this arrest highlights the importance of police visibility and community cooperation. We will continue to pursue and hold accountable those who repeatedly violate the law and endanger the safety of our citizens," she said.