By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Police arrested a 28-year-old delivery rider accused of stealing a woman’s shoulder bag while she was on a date at the Japanese Garden inside Rizal Park in Ermita, Manila on Saturday afternoon, May 10.
The suspect, identified as Angelo Nudalo of Ermita, Manila, is reportedly a member of the Sputnik Gang and works as a Toktok driver, according to authorities.
A report from the Manila Police District’s Tourist Police Unit (TPU) said the victim, Alyssa Jasmin Mabago, 31, was spending time with her partner at around 2:10 p.m. when a witness informed them that a man had taken her handbag and walked away with it.
The witness, identified as John Llyod Bernardo, immediately alerted the couple, who then sought help from security personnel stationed at the park’s guard house. The duty guard later contacted TPU officers for assistance.
Responding officers interviewed the complainant and witness before attempting to trace the victim’s missing Galaxy Buds, which had been left inside the stolen bag.
Using GPS tracking, authorities located the suspect on the second floor of Paco Mall at the corner of Angel Linao and Pedro Gil streets in Paco, Manila.
Police said the witness positively identified Nudalo as the person who took the bag. However, when officers approached him, the suspect allegedly noticed the authorities and attempted to flee, triggering a brief chase that ended in his arrest.
Recovered from the suspect were the victim’s peach-colored shoulder bag worth around P3,500 and several personal belongings, including a BDO pouch, cosmetics, a Tommy Hilfiger wallet, identification cards, P65 in cash, and Galaxy Buds valued at around P9,000.
Authorities said the complainant positively identified all recovered items as her property.
Police added that the suspect was informed of his constitutional rights before being brought to Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital for medical examination. He was later transferred to Ermita Police Station for further investigation and proper disposition.
A theft complaint is now being prepared against the suspect for inquest proceedings before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.
ia/xf
