Navotas cops nab 23-year-old snatcher

A 23-year-old snatcher was arrested by the police after he admitted robbing a widow of P5,000 in tuition money on her way to enroling her son, a third grader, at the Navotas Elementary School Monday morning in Navotas. The suspect was surrendered to the police by a barangay councilman, who the victim suspected as coddler of the snatcher.

PO3 Noel Banares, officer on case, said suspect Alfredo Malaca, single, jobless, of 25-B Los Martires Street, San Jose, Navotas was surrendered to the police by Barangay San Jose Councilor Cris Garcia, 34.

Banares said Garcia told probers he had advised the suspect, who allegedly was a friend, to face the problem and was persuaded to surrender to the police.

Victim Carolina Obero, 44, sales agent, residing at 963 S. Policarpio Street in the same barangay, told investigators, she was with her unnamed son on the way to enroll him at the nearby Navotas Elementary School at 10:30 a.m. when Malaca snatched her wallet allegedly containing P5,000.

The snatching incident was witnessed by a member of the local Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), Arnel Santillan, 46, married, traffic enforcer, of Barangay San Jose, who, with SPO4 Mario Arias of the local police and another POSO member, chased the suspect.

Malaca was reportedly spotted entering the house of Garcia and hid there. When allegedly asked about the suspect’s hiding inside his house, Garcia allegedly feigned ignorance and waved the law enforcers off. About two hours later, however, Banares said Garcia, with Malaca in tow, appeared at the police station allegedly to surrender the suspect.

Malaca admitted snatching Obero’s wallet and returned to her P77.75, which was allegedly what remained of only P150 he said he found inside her wallet.

The complainant, however, would not take any of his claims and proceeded to file robbery and snatching charges against Malaca, who was the victim’s neighbor.

Sources, who spoke on condition anonymity, told The STAR the complainant was allegedly aware that the suspect is a known "bata" (henchman)" of the councilman. Garcia allegedly denied the allegations of the victim before investigators.

Police said a bail bond of P40,000 was recommended for the suspect’s temporary liberty. Malaca has been detained at the police jail. – Jerry Botial