Makati cops nab motorcycle-riding thief who victimized American
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[Updated May 28, 2025, 8:32 p.m.]
MANILA, Philippines — A motorcycle rider was arrested early Wednesday morning for allegedly stealing a smartphone from a 61-year-old American in Makati City, police said.
The victim traced the suspect to Makati Avenue through an application on the stolen smartphone, which led to the arrest, according to Makati City police chief Col. Jean Dela Torre in a press conference at their office on Wednesday.
The robbery incident took place on Tuesday afternoon along Polaris Street, Dela Torre detailed.
“Motorcycle-riding criminals really are choosing to victimize foreigners,” National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said in Filipino during the briefing.
“It appears that their modus is that they monitor first, go around on their motorcycle until such time that they see a possible victim… They will time it so that they’ll go beside the victim and snatch the items from our tourists,” Aberin added in Filipino. “When the timing is right, they ride up beside them and snatch their belongings.”
Dela Torre identified the suspect as 24-year-old Manila resident “Celso,” the subject of cases for violating firearms regulation, anti-drug and anti-gambling laws around six years ago.
Authorities recovered the victim’s smartphone and a live hand grenade, the NCRPO said in a statement later on Wednesday.
He is currently in the custody of the Makati City Police Station, awaiting a case for violating Article 293 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to robbery; and Republic Act 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act; and Republic Act 9516, a law regulating explosives.
READ: Makati police nab 2 men for allegedly robbing Japanese nationals
2 cohorts at large
Dela Torre further said police were now chasing after two of the suspect’s cohorts after he identified them as accomplices who are in possession of the foreigner’s remaining belongings.
The other suspects were 20-year-old “Pipoy” and 21-year-old “Tutoy,” both Manila residents, according to the Makati City Police Station in a statement later on Wednesday.
“He also revealed what their modus is after taking the items—who they meet up with and to whom they sell the fruits of their crimes,” Aberin said of the arrested suspect.
READ: NCRPO recovers P3-million watch from alleged thief targeting foreigners
The regional police director added that they were now building a case against those whom the suspect named as buyers to apply for a warrant and file appropriate charges for violating Presidential Decree No. 1612 or the Anti-Fencing Law. /jpv/mr
