A 31-year-old barker was arrested by the Manila Police District (MPD) after he was identified as the suspect in a viral cellphone snatching incident involving a jeepney passenger along Osmeña Highway in Pandacan, Manila, on Tuesday, July 14.
The arrest was carried out by operatives of the MPD Special Mayor’s Reaction Team (SMaRT) under the leadership of Lt. Col. Edward Samonte following complaints from concerned citizens about disorderly barkers causing obstruction in the area.
During intensified operations against illegal street obstructions, authorities apprehended the suspect, identified only by his alias “Jayson.”
Subsequent profiling conducted by SMaRT and MPD Police Station 10 revealed that the suspect was also allegedly responsible for the robbery-snatching incident caught on video, where a cellphone was forcibly taken from a jeepney passenger.
Police said a follow-up cyber patrol and investigation led to the identification of the uploader of the viral video, as well as the jeepney owner and the victim, who later coordinated with authorities at the SMaRT office.
The stolen cellphone was recovered, and the suspect was positively identified by the victim.
The victim, a jeepney helper from Quezon province, expressed gratitude to the MPD for the swift action that led to the suspect’s arrest and the recovery of his device.
Authorities said appropriate charges will be filed against the suspect as part of ongoing efforts to curb street crimes and maintain peace and order in Manila.