A 52-year-old man was arrested in Tondo, Manila, after taking a woman’s iPhone at gunpoint inside her home, the Manila Police District (MPD) reported.
Police identified the suspect as Romeo “Romy” Hernandez, a resident of Barangay 103, Tondo.
Hernandez was arrested at around 7:16 p.m. on Aug. 28 during a follow-up operation inside a house along F. Varona Street in Barangay 85, police said.
According to the initial investigation, the victim, identified as alias “Len,” a businesswoman, was inside her house when Hernandez allegedly approached her at the gate, pointed a gun at her, and demanded her cellphone.
The suspect allegedly took the cellphone and fled.
The victim then sought assistance from Barangay 85, which coordinated with personnel of the Don Bosco Police Community Precinct of the MPD’s Raxabago Police Station 1.
Police immediately launched a follow-up operation that led to Hernandez’s arrest and the recovery of the victim’s iPhone 13 Pro Max.
During a protective search, police also allegedly recovered a black Glock 18 replica tucked into Hernandez’s waistband.
The arresting officers, identified as PMSg Galileo M. Camangon and PCpl Eric O. Guardiano, brought Hernandez and the recovered evidence to the Raxabago Police Station at around 9:10 p.m. that same day.
Hernandez was taken to the Gat. Andres Bonifacio Medical Center for a mandatory physical examination before being brought to the police station for proper disposition.
Police said Hernandez was informed of his constitutional rights in Tagalog, which he understood.
He is facing a complaint for robbery under Article 293 of the Revised Penal Code and an alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.
The police station said documents were being prepared for the filing of the complaints before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max and the replica firearm were among the pieces of evidence recovered during the operation.