Red shirt gives away 'budol-budol' suspect in Manila

A 'budol-budol' swindler who allegedly sweet-talked his way into stealing mobile phones was arrested on Wednesday after a victim recognized him despite his face mask.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on "24 Oras", Elvin Donnie initially denied the allegations until policemen showed him CCTV footage of an escaping suspect wearing a red shirt—the same top he was wearing when nabbed.

Donnie was caught by police after one of his victims saw him walking on Kalaw Avenue in Manila.

According to his victims, who were mostly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) about to leave the country, Donnie would first befriend unsuspecting victims before borrowing their cellphones.

He would then allegedly run away with their phones.

Police had closed circuit television footage of the suspect running away from his victims on separate occasions in April, one of which he was clad in red shirt. Police pointed out that he was wearing the same clothing during his arrest.

At the police station, Donnie admitted that he had been previously detained for stealing phones.

"I had no choice, I lost my job," he said in Filipino, adding that his wife died due to breast cancer.

Police Major Anthony Coil Olgado, commander of Bocobo police community precinct, said they are calling on Donnie's other victims to come for the investigation. —Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News