Cellphone theft leads to car chase in Makati City; 1 arrested
A woman was arrested by the Makati City Police after her group led the police on an action movie-like car chase after stealing the cellphone of a sari-sari store owner in Barangay Pio Del Pilar, Makati City, on Sunday, Nov. 30.
According to the Southern Police District (SPD), one of the suspects, identified by the Makati City government as Xanielle Diaz Bacaron, posed as a customer at a sari-sari store and requested a cash-in transaction worth P15,999 on Nov. 29.
As the victim was verifying his details, Bacaron quickly grabbed the store owner's cellphone containing P54,000 worth of mobile wallet funds before escaping aboard a Toyota Vios sedan being driven by his cohort.
The victim immediately reported the incident to the police, who launched a hot-pursuit operation against the suspects.
At 4:15 a.m. on Nov. 30, the police spotted the suspects’ vehicle along Arnaiz Avenue corner Osmeña Highway in Barangay Pio del Pilar, where they executed a blocking maneuver using police motorcycles.
Instead of stopping, the suspects accelerated towards the police blockage and crashing into the two motorcycles, before fleeing toward South Super Highway.
A high-speed pursuit between the police and the thieves ensued, but they managed to evade arrest.
Hours later, Skyway Patrol personnel reported the suspect's disabled and abandoned vehicle at Ramp 17 of the NAIA Terminal 1 Toll Plaza, where the police successfully arrested one of the suspects identified as Christine Sarmiento Lodovice. Bacaron and another suspect managed to escape arrest.
The police also recovered various plate numbers inside the suspects' car, which are said to be used in their illegal activities.
A manhunt was launched for Bacaron and his cohort's arrests.
Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay commended the swift and persistent efforts of the Makati City Police.
“Ipinapakita ng insidenteng ito kung gaano kahalaga ang mabilis at tuloy-tuloy na aksyon ng ating kapulisan. Hindi namin hahayaang maging banta ang krimen sa kaligtasan ng mga residente, lalo na ngayong Kapaskuhan. Buo ang suporta ng pamahalaang lungsod sa Makati Police upang masigurong ligtas at panatag ang bawat residente at bisita (This incident shows how important the swift and consistent action of our police force is. We will not allow crime to become a threat to the safety of residents, especially this Christmas season. The city government fully supports the Makati Police to ensure the safety and security of every resident and visitor)," Binay said.