Motorcycle criminals: From riding in tandem to riding in convoy?

Are motorcycle-riding criminals shifting their tactics from riding-in-tandem to riding-in-convoy?

 

The new modus operandi was manifested in a recent snatching in Quezon City, GMA News' Cesar Apolinario said in an exclusive report on "24 Oras" Thursday.

 

Barangay South Triangle officials caught the incident on closed-circuit television.

 

 

Footage showed the criminals rode on two motorcycles along Scout Borromeo Street, as if they were part of a convoy.

 

One of them blocked traffic at the middle of the street - to make way for the rider of a trailing motorcycle who snatched a bag from a woman walking along the sidewalk.

 

One of the motorcycles headed straight along Scout Borromeo while the other sped toward Quezon Avenue where traffic was relatively light.

 

CCTV operator Anna Sapilan said she focused the camera on the motorcycle-riding men after noticing they were acting suspiciously.

 

Barangay watchmen suspect the suspects are familiar with directing traffic and with how convoys operate.

 

Last Oct. 8, CCTV cameras caught a taxi involved in a similar snatching, where the driver passed near a pedestrian and tried to snatch her bag.

 

But in that incident, the woman managed to hold on to her bag even if she was dragged for a distance.

 

The barangay has installed 30 CCTV cameras along the street, and plans to install more.

 

In the meantime, barangay officials advised the public to be alert and wary of modus operandi from snatchers. — Joel Locsin/JST, GMA News