Barker nabbed for snatching Korean’s phone

A JEEPNEY barker was arrested in a follow-up operation by operatives of Station 2 at Barangay 7, Bacolod City while his companion managed to escape after they snatched the cellular phone of a Korean national Thursday morning.

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Ricardo De la Paz identified the suspect as Joseph Flores, 20, and resident of Sitio Cubay, Barangay Villamonte and his companion, a certain “Little Maalat” who is still at large.

De la Paz said Flores was arrested in a follow-up operation by operatives of Station 2 led by Police Senior Inspector Robert Dejucos after he snatched the cellular phone of Hong Da-Hye, 19, a Korean national temporarily staying at University of St. La Salle.

He said the cellular phone worth P30,000 was also recovered from the possession of Flores.

Investigation showed that at about 12:10 a.m., while the victim together with her Korean friends was standing in front of Grace Pharmacy at B.S Aquino Drive, Barangay 7, the suspects forcibly took her cellular phone, he said.

De la Paz added the victim also tried to fight back with the suspects but the suspects successfully took the item and fled.

The victim immediately called the help of police and one of the suspects was arrested, De la Paz said.

Flores admitted that he snatched the phone of Hong. He and his companion are also the suspects in robbery in one of cellular phone shops at La Salle Avenue last month.

The city director commended the operatives of Station 2 for the immediate arrest of Flores who is a notorious rob suspect believed to be involved in several snatching incidents in the city. (Merlinda A. Pedrosa)