Raps up vs passenger in bus snatching

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

A criminal charge was filed against a construction worker who forcibly took a bus conductor’s bag on Dec 6, 2020 in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

Captain Roy Castro, Tigbauan police chief, said that a case for robbery with the use of force and intimidation was slapped against Benmark Pastrana on Dec 9.

Members of Tigbauan Police Station arrested the 23-year old Pastrana, a resident of Sta. Lucia, Barangay 9 Poblacion, Tigbauan, afternoon of December 7.

It was first reported that two male persons hailed a Ceres bus at Guimbal, Iloilo then got off at Barangay Parara Norte, Tigbauan.

But one of them suddenly pulled the sling bag of the bus conductor Jerrime Fortin, 26, of Nagbangi 1, San Remegio, Antique.

The bag contained P9,200 cash.

Pastrana’s companion was first collared in a police follow-up investigation. He claimed to have no knowledge of Pastrana’s plan.

He later pointed to the suspect’s whereabouts and pinned down the latter.

Castro said the money was not recovered as the suspect already spent it.

He allegedly threw the belt bag as he swam in a river during his escape.