Theft caught on CCTV camera, police still tracking suspects

CEBU, Philippines - The police are now hunting down at least six women who were caught by a close circuit television camera stealing a woman’s wallet inside a business establishment on Manalili St., Cebu City Wednesday afternoon.

The victim, Rosalie Epe, 36, lost cash estimated to amount P20,000 to women who acted as customers of ECW Trading that sells various stuffs like appliances, umbrellas, among others.

SPO2 Edgar Galado of the Theft and Robbery Section said the victim, together with her husband, went to the store at past 12 p.m. to buy some stuff.

The victim went to the cashier to supposedly pay for what she bought when she discovered that the wallet inside her bag was already gone.

The incident was captured by the establishment’s close circuit television which showed that five to six women surrounded the victim and distracted her attention while one of the suspects discreetly opened her bag and took the wallet.

“Gi-alialihan sa counter, gibabag-babagan. Kuyog man na siya sa iyang husband, pero wa sad kabantay,” Galado said.

Galado said the suspects might have been monitoring the victim and her husband since the two came from a fast food chain near a mall at corner Colon St. and Osmeña Boulevard to eat lunch.

“Murag gisundan na gyud kay tulo man na’ng wallet sa biktima gisulod sa iyang bag, nya kadto man gyung naa’y kwarta ang ilang (suspects) gikuha,” Galado said.

Most of the suspects’ faces were allegedly captured by the security camera.

Meanwhile, a woman also lost her wallet containing P16,000 to a househelper whom she hired a couple of hours before the incident Wednesday.

Aireen Brodeth, 35, who resides at City Lites Condominium, told police she discovered around 3:40 p.m. that her helper was already no longer at the condo, along with her wallet that contained the cash and assorted cards.

Galado said the woman’s face was also captured by the condo’s security camera. — (FREEMAN)