Snatching leads to fatal bike crash

CEBU, Philippines - A man was killed while his two female passengers were injured after their motorcycle crashed when two men on another motorcycle snatched a bag from one of the women at the South Road Properties in San Roque, Talisay City past 5 a.m. on Friday.

Roel Cabusas, 34, from Camp Crame, Quezon City, the motorcycle driver, was killed, while Lea Jane Desamparado and her sister Elvie Desamparado suffered injuries in different parts of their body.

Police Officer 3 Juniel Atir, desk officer of the Talisay City Police Station, said that the victims were riding a motorcycle from Belmont Village in Barangay San Roque, Talisay City, before the incident happened.

Atir said that Cabusas overtook a black motorcycle at the SRP but the motorcycle drove up alongside them and the man riding pillion grabbed the bag Elvie placed on her lap.

“Ni-overtake ni sila sa motorcycle nga black nga ang driver naa’y backrider, ni-overtake sad nila ang ilang gi-overtake-an. Ang backrider ang ni-snatch sa bag ni Elvie nga gipatong sa iyang paa,” Atir said.

Elvie refused to let go of the bag and the two struggled for it, in the commotion Cabusas lost control of the motorcycle and it crashed into the pavement, spilling its passengers.

The robbers were able to escape with the bag and were last seen speeding away toward Cebu City.

The driver suffered severe injuries to the head while his two passengers also suffered injuries and were brought to the Talisay City District Hospital.

Cabusas was later transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center but he died there a few hours later. 

Elvie’s bag contained her mobile phone, a tablet, wallet, coin pouch and other important belongings.

Atir urged the motorists not to be complacent when riding on a motorcycle because there might people who are just waiting for the right time to strike.

“Basin naa silay masigpatan nga relax lang kaayo motira g’yud na sila, kay kung gitarong to’g butang ang bag di gyud to sila mo-igo,” he added.  (FREEMAN)