CCTV helps nab Arevalo robbery suspect

By Jennifer P. Rendon

One of two suspects who allegedly robbed a 14-year-old girl was arrested in a hot pursuit operation in Molo, Iloilo City, on the afternoon of June 9, less than 24 hours after the incident.

Closed-circuit television footage led to the arrest of alias Allan, 35, of Barangay San Juan, Molo.

His companion, alias Joven of Barangay San Antonio, Molo, remained at large as of this writing.

According to reports, alias Julie was buying food at a roadside stall in Barangay Sto. Domingo around 7:32 p.m. on June 8 when alias Joven alighted from the motorcycle driven by Allan.

He went behind Julie and snatched her pink Nubia V70 Max mobile phone worth PHP 6,000.

The suspect then ran and hopped on the motorcycle.

They immediately sped off.

Police Capt. Michael Tuburan, chief of the Iloilo City Police Station 6, said the incident was reported to them at 8:20 p.m.

Police investigators then secured CCTV footage from the area.

About an hour after the footage was made public on the morning of June 9, police received information identifying the suspects as Allan and Joven from Molo district.

In his defense, Allan claimed that Joven frequently went to his home because they both sell corn.

On the night of the incident, Allan said they were driving in Arevalo when Joven suddenly instructed him to pull over.

Joven alighted from the motorcycle and quickly returned with a mobile phone.

Allan claimed he asked Joven to return the phone, although they initially planned to sell it.

He allegedly convinced Joven to give him the phone so he could return it to the owner.

However, Allan was arrested before he could return the phone to the victim.

Tuburan said Allan has no police record, while Joven has several previous records for robbery and theft.