Theft in fast food chains rising

CEBU, Philippines - Barely 24 hours after victimizing Cebu City Councilor Jose Daluz III, a man stole from another government employee inside a fast food chain in Barangay Sto. Niño last Wednesday morning.

The face of the man, whose description matched that of the person who stole the bag of Daluz, was captured by the security camera of the fast food chain.

This time, the victim was Ma. Corseca Flores, 48, and an employee of the Department of Agrarian Reform 7.

Flores, a resident of Barangay Labangon, was eating at the fast food chain past 6 am when she stood up to ask for food sauce and left her shoulder bag behind.

She returned only to discover her bag already missing.

Her bag contained over P11,000 cash; a red envelope which contained dollar and peso bills, cellular phone, wristwatch, silver necklace, flash drive, various card and ATM cards and other personal belongings.

Investigation further showed that the food outlet’s security camera captured footage of the man entering the outlet and going out shortly after, already bringing the victim’s bag. The suspect was seen heading towards Legaspi Ext.

The victim failed to retrieve her bag.

Insp. Ronaldo Pinili, chief of Theft and Robbery Section, said the thief sported an outfit similar to that of the man who stole the bag of Daluz inside a restaurant along M.J. Cuenco corner Legaspi Ext. before noon last Monday.

He said the thief wore a yellow shirt, maong pants, slippers, and a brownish sling bag.

“Way ilisay. The same person ra g’yud. (He did not change clothes, it’s the same person),” Pinili said, although the suspect’s face was partially covered by the ball cap that he was wearing.

Last Monday, Daluz was having a luncheon meeting with City Engineer Kenneth Carmelita Enriquez and other engineers of the Department of Engineering and Public Works when the thief who was seated behind Daluz, took the councilor’s bag which contained his iPad. The incident was also captured by the establishment’s security camera.

Meanwhile, two persons from Luzon were arrested after they were caught by their lady victim as they were stealing her bag inside a fast food chain at a mall in Barangay Mabolo, at past 3 pm last Wednesday.

The victim, Ferlyn Booc, 50, with the help of the mall security guard, arrested Angela Alcantara, 50, of Tondo, Manila and Dante Ana, 41, of Dasmariñas, Cavite.

The third suspect, a certain Yolo Mauda, of Davao City, eluded arrest.

Booc, a resident of Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, was eating inside the fast food chain when the suspects gradually tried to steal her red shoulder bag which contained P17,490 cash; three cellular phones worth P21,500; and two passports.

Booc luckily turned her head in time to see the suspects who were just leaving the outlet and noticed that her bag was missing. She chased them and sought the help of the mall guard. The bag was recovered from their possession.

The suspects are now detained.

Pinili said the suspects and the one who stole the bags of Daluz and Flores might be part of a single syndicate. –(FREEMAN)