Bike-riding robbers hit 2 victims in a day

CEBU, Philippines – It appears that robberies are happening anywhere in Cebu already.

In Carmen town, unidentified motorcycle-riding robbers hit two victims separately in a day on Saturday.

At 3:25 p.m., the suspects, who were riding a red Honda XRM motorcycle, robbed Jimson Piape, 27, of Karesh Purified Drinking Water, after the latter delivered gallons of water to one of their customers on Sto. Niño Street, Barangay Luyang.

Piape, a resident of Pelaez St., Bogo, believed the suspects were watching him several meters away while waiting for the opportune time to declare the heist.

Right after Piape issued a receipt to the customer, one of the suspects approached and aimed an unknown caliber of firearm at the victim and declared hold up.

Because of fear, the victim immediately handed over his P4,000 earnings to the suspect, who immediately returned to his waiting companion and sped towards south direction on board a motorcycle.

About five minutes later, the same suspects robbed Joel Cabalican, 33, an ambulant ice cream vendor along Climaco Street, Barangay Cogon West.

Cabalican, of Barangay Cabalawan, Sogod, told police he was peddling ice cream in the area when the suspects stopped near him and declared the hold up. Soon after taking the victim's P1,300 earnings, the suspects sped towards Danao City.

SPO1 Danilo Laurente said that although different motorcycles were used in the two incidents, the description of both victims of the suspects matched.

The motorcycle used in the latest incident was an orange Aura with its plate number covered with a T-shirt.

Laurente theorized that it could be possible that after the suspects robbed Piape, and while heading south, they spotted Cabalican and also robbed him. He added the suspects might have back-ups and "spotters" during the commission of both heists and there could be a switching of motorcycle along the road.

Police Insp. Milo Dagatdat and his men are still conducting a hot pursuit operation in Danao City where the suspects are believed to be residing. (FREEMAN)