A SUSPECTED cellphone snatcher was beaten by motorcycle-for-hire drivers and other people after he victimized a call center agent on Leon Kilat Street in Barangay Kalubihan, Cebu City at 5:30 a.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023.

The suspect was identified as Orlando Epogon Amarillo, 36, a native of Barangay Obaob, Argao town, Cebu.

Based on the investigation of Carbon Police Station 5, the victim, Richelle Arnaiz Lorenzo, 20, was walking along Leon Kilat Street near the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) building when the suspect disembarked from his motorcycle parked along the side of the road and hugged Lorenzo tightly before stealing her cellphone worth over P13,000.

Amarillo returned to his motorcycle but was pushed by the victim, who then knocked him to the ground.

When Lorenzo shouted for help, the motorcycle-for-hire drivers and the people near the area rushed to her aid and mauled the suspect. The victim recovered her cellphone.

The suspect was turned over to the police. Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Chief Col. Ireneo Dalogdog ordered the Carbon police to look into the suspect’s background to determine whether he has a criminal record.

Dalogdog credited the community for their prompt response, which led to the suspect’s capture.

The incident happened after Cebu City Councilor Jose Abellanosa requested the CCPO to deploy more police officers in crime-prone areas amid the spate of snatching incidents that victimized call center agents.

Dalogdog responded by adjusting work assignments and deploying half of the total number of personnel of every police station to the streets and interior barangays. (AYB / TPT)