A 42-YEAR-OLD woman who allegedly snatched the necklace of a minor inside a mall in Barangay Poblacion, Dumanjug town, southwest Cebu was arrested on Tuesday afternoon, August 16, 2022.

Master Sergeant Romeo Legazpi, investigating officer of Dumanjug Police Station, identified the suspect as Liza Balaba, of Barangay Bonbon, Camiguin Province, but currently residing in Barangay Cogon, Dumanjug.

Legazpi told SunStar Cebu that Kristine Codilla, mother of the victim from Barangay Basdiot, Moalboal town, reported the incident to their station at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, August 14.

Codilla narrated to the police that they went to the mall around 2 p.m. to buy some grocery items, while her three-year-old daughter was roaming around. Minutes later, her daughter came back with her necklace worth P14,000 already gone.

Legazpi said they immediately notified all the pawnshop branches nearby to call their station if somebody would pawn the jewelry.

They also reviewed the CCTV footage that was able to capture the face of the suspect and the way she grabbed the necklace.

On August 16, at 3:20 p.m., Legazpi said a pawnshop employee in Barangay Poblacion, Dumanjug called their station and reported that Balaba pawned the necklace at their shop.

The suspect reportedly attempted to run away when responding policemen arrived.

"Karon padayon gihapon namo nga gisusi ug basin naa pa ni siyay mga kauban," Legazpi said.

(We are still checking now if she has partners).

During Balaba's arrest, three sachets of substance believed to be shabu were also confiscated from her possession.

The mother of the victim already filed a case for theft against Balaba, who is currently detained at Dumanjug Police Station detention cell. (GDC, TPT)