The Western Police District identified the suspects as Wilfredo Reynoso, 17; Rolando Torino, 17; Lawrence Garcia, Billy Esmael, Armando Portajeda, Pia Salvador, 16 and Amy Villanueva, 18; all alleged members of the Sigue Sigue Sputnik Gang.
According to police, Remedios Canlas, 58, of 1073 Corrigidor St., Tondo, Manila, was seated in the front passenger seat of her car when it stopped for a red light on Jesus street at about 2:40 a.m.
As the car slowed to a stop, the suspects suddenly appeared, held the victim’s neck and grabbed her handbag from her lap through the car’s open window. Police said Canlas’ bag contained P150,000.
The victim’s screams attracted the attention of some people who immediately chased the suspects. The suspects threw several P500 bills in the street to stop the pursuing mob.
However, the seven suspects were arrested several minutes later after they were tracked down by Police Officers 1 Rizaldy Bulacan and Ferdinand Baltazar at 1946 Interior 7 Gonzales St. Pandacan. Police only recovered P23,500 of the stolen cash. – Mike Frialde