Phone Snatching on McArthur Highway in Balibago, Angeles — 2 Women Arrested

Phone Snatching on McArthur Highway in Balibago, Angeles — 2 Women Arrested

📌 At around 2:45 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, two women were arrested on suspicion of stealthily stealing the phone of a man walking along McArthur Highway in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City. According to the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), police tracked them down right after the report and recovered the phone, and a search also turned up 10 tablets suspected to be ecstasy (street value of about PHP 17,000).

■ What happened
· The male victim reported that while he was walking along McArthur Highway, two women bumped into him and, in the confusion, slipped a rose gold OPPO smartphone out of his right back pocket.
· After realizing his phone was missing, he went looking for the suspects himself but couldn't find them, so he asked the police MACC command post for help.

■ Investigation and current status
· Angeles City Police Station 4 immediately began tracking them and apprehended the 2 female suspects.
· According to the police, the search turned up the stolen phone along with 10 tablets suspected to be ecstasy (street value of about PHP 17,000).
· The two are facing charges of theft and violation of Section 11 (possession of dangerous drugs) of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (Republic Act No. 9165), and the confiscated items will be recorded and processed according to procedure.

■ Tips for residents and travelers
· If someone bumps into you on a crowded street, check your pockets and bag right away. In this case too, the phone was taken in the moment of the bump.
· It's safer to keep your phone in a front pocket or a zippered bag rather than a back pocket.
· If you realize you've been victimized, report it right away to the nearest police command post or station rather than chasing the suspects alone. This time, the phone was recovered through a pursuit launched right after the report.

■ Source
Angeles City Police Office (official Facebook, 10/24)

■ Photo
· Angeles City Police Office arrest announcement graphic (suspects' faces blurred) — Angeles City Police Office (official Facebook)