CEBU CITY – Seven alleged pickpockets preying on unsuspecting partygoers were arrested inside a pension house in Barangay Kalubihan here.

The suspects – a woman and six Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) members – were cornered several hours after a customer of a night club reported losing his cell phone.

The male complainant said he was in the club on Pelaez St. in Barangay Kalubihan when a group of customers befriended him.

The complainant said they shared a few drinks before the group left. He noticed that his P10,000 cellphone was missing. The complainant reported the incident to the police about 4 a.m.

Closed-circuit television footage of the establishment was reviewed and police identified the suspects.

A follow-up operation led to their arrest in a pension house near the club.

Police Col. George Ylanan, chief of the Cebu City Police Office, said follow-up investigation showed that the suspects had victimized foreigners in nightspots here.

Ylanan said the suspects would usually befriend their targets and distract them to steal their belongings such as wallets and cell phones.

In an interview with reporters, the female suspect, Levy, admitted her participation. She said most of their targets were foreigners partying in bars.

Levy said once the target gets drunk, they would take the victim’s belongings before fleeing.

A single mother, Levy sought forgiveness from their victims. She said she was just forced to rob to support her family.

Ylanan said appropriate charges will be filed against the suspects. He urged victims to come forward and file charges against them.