The arrested suspect and the recovered stolen items (Photo from SPD)
Police arrested a vendor accused of seriously wounding and robbing a Japanese national in Parañaque City on Monday, Jan. 26.
The Southern Police District (SPD) identified the suspect as Ariel, 49, who was arrested at around 6:30 p.m. at Medina Subdivision, Barangay San Dionisio.
The victim was identified as Akira, 62, a Japanese tourist, who remains confined at the Ospital ng Parañaque after sustaining a cracked skull, a partially split ear, and swelling around the eye.
Police said the victim was at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park, located along CAVITEX Access Road, Barangay San Dionisio, where he was believed to be birdwatching when he was attacked at around 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 24.
The suspect allegedly struck the victim repeatedly on the head before taking his sling bag containing ₱30,000 and ¥30,000 (approximately ₱11,500), an iPhone 14, earpods, a Japanese passport, identification cards, an ATM card, a boarding pass, and assorted Japanese coins.
Police said the stolen items were recovered from the suspect who was apprehended after he was positively identified through CCTV footage that captured his clear image.
Ariel is currently detained at the Parañaque City Police custodial facility and was charged with robbery with violence against persons under Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code.