A motorcycle-riding man who allegedly swiped and stole a shoulder bag of a 58-year-old woman was arrested by police hours after the theft incident on Thursday, authorities said.
According to SPO3 Menillo Sevilla of the Tagbilaran City police theft and robbery section, suspect John Torralba, 18, of Lower Candait in Barangay Dampas, was arrested through a hot pursuit operation.
The suspect was traced by the police with the assistance of Barangay Councilor Aida Barapon of the village of Dampas in Tagbilaran.
Torralba was then positively identified by victim Marina Salamanca at the police station, Sevilla said.
Salamanca had earlier reported to police that she was driving her motorcycle early morning in Tagbilaran City when the suspect suddenly trailed her.
Torralba then allegedly grabbed and forcibly took Salamanca’s shoulder bag and fled on board his motorcycle.
The bag allegedly stolen by Torralba contained two smartphones and P8,000, Salamanca said.
Torralba remained detained at the Tagbilaran City police lock-up jail pending the filing of a robbery charge against him. (wm)