Pregnant woman arrested for park robbery

A woman who is three months pregnant was arrested for robbing a couple at a park in Manila.

According to a "24 Oras" report by John Consulta on Thursday, CCTV footage showed the woman and a male companion arriving on a bicycle near the area where the couple was seated.  The male suspect approached the bench where the couple placed their bag and quickly took it away before they could notice.

“Malamang binabantayan na ito ng mga suspek natin, nagkaroon ng pagkakataon nilapitan ng lalaki. Kinuha yung bag at ipinasa doon sa kasamahan niya na si alias Salve. Umalis na sila at makikita natin na di napansin ng mga biktima yung pangyayari,” said Manila Police District Director Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay.

(It’s likely that the suspects have been observing them.  When they found the opportunity, the male suspect took the bag and passed it to his accomplice. We can see that the victims didn’t notice what happened.)

Authorities were able to identify the woman as the suspect, who confessed to the crime.

“[Ginawa ko yun] sa pangangailangan lang po, sa pagkain. Di po ako nagsisisi,” said the suspect.  “Nagawa ko na, magsisisi ka pa? Hindi na,” she added.

([I did it] because I needed food. I have no regrets. I already did it.)

The Manila police also launched an operation to recover the victim's cellphone and laptop, which were found in a store and reportedly sold for P700. 

Two individuals in the shop were arrested but did not issue any comment.  The police said complaints could also be filed against the persons found buying stolen gadgets.

“We will file [a] complaint against them for the violation of the anti-fencing law kasi sa kanila binenta yung mga nasalisi ng mga suspek natin. Di sila dapat bumibili ng mga bagay na ninakaw,” said Ibay.

(We will file [a] complaint against persons for violation of the anti-fencing law because they bought stolen items.)

Police are still looking for the male suspect.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News