Young girl gets robbed of phone and cash while walking to buy snack
An eight-year-old girl was robbed of a phone and cash by a man on a bicycle in Santa Cruz, Manila, on the afternoon of 11 March.
The incident occurred while she was walking alone to buy snacks.
Suspect fled on bicycle following theft
CCTV footage showed the suspect tailing the child before approaching her.
He handed her a piece of cardboard, then quickly snatched her mobile phone, worth ₱8,000 (S$170), along with ₱1,000 (S$21) in cash stored in the phone case.
Source: Philnews
The girl tried to get her phone back but was intimidated by the man, who told her to stay still before fleeing on his bicycle.
“He held my hand tightly, and I just followed him. I wanted to run, but he kept looking back at me. I couldn’t escape,” the victim said.
He had tricked her into trusting him
Investigations revealed that the suspect had followed the child to Felix Street before carrying out the robbery along P. Guevarra Street.
According to Kagawad Choleng Lagura, the man had used a ruse to gain the child’s trust.
Source: ABS-CBN
“While she was walking, a man approached and claimed to know her parents, saying he needed her to pick up an iron.”
“The CCTV shows he was merely tricking the child. He lured her away and fled on his bicycle,” she said.
Mother believes the suspect was involved in child abduction case earlier
The victim’s mother later went public with the case after noticing similarities between the suspect and a man involved in an attempted abduction of an 11-year-old in Sta. Ana, Manila, on 19 March.
The woman noted that everything matched up, from clothing to specific actions.
Police investigation is underway
Authorities have not confirmed if both incidents involve the same suspect.
Barangay officials are submitting the CCTV footage to the police to assist with investigations.
Authorities have also reminded parents to avoid letting children walk alone in public and to be careful about allowing them to carry valuable items.
Also read: 5-year-old girl in M’sia taken along in car theft after being left inside, found safe after 3 hours
5-year-old girl in M’sia taken along in car theft after being left inside, found safe after 3 hours
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Featured image adapted from Philnews and ABS-CBN.
