Policeman arrested for cellphone snatching

A policeman assigned at the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) and two others were arrested the other night by Central Police District (CPD) operatives for alleged cellphone snatching along Timog Avenue, Barangay Laging Handa in Quezon City.

PO1 Danilo Morales was cornered with two companions on board a rented Mitsubishi Adventure after a brief chase by responding policemen from the Kamuning police station.

Reports said the victim, Leopoldo Jayle, was walking along Timog Avenue when Morales’ group allegedly forcibly took Jayle’s cellphone.

In a radio interview, Jayle said the suspects, who introduced themselves as policemen, picked him up him for an unknown reason.

"Kinuha yung cellphone kaya tumakbo ako sa loob ng compound para manghingi ng tulong (They forcibly took my cellphone so I ran towards a compound to seek help)," the victim said.

The incident was immediately reported to the Kamuning police station. Responding policemen spotted the suspects, who were still in the area apparently scouting for other victims.

Seized from the suspects were two unlicensed .9 mm pistols and the stolen cellphone.

Police investigators are looking into the possibility that the suspects may be involved in other criminal activities in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, at least three persons were injured in two traffic accidents along EDSA early yesterday morning.

Two were injured when a jeepney collided with a cargo truck along EDSA near the People Power Monument while the driver of a delivery van was seriously hurt when he rammed his vehicle on a concrete post in Quezon Avenue.

Roberto Bautista, the driver of the van, said he was cruising along Quezon Avenue at around four in the morning when a woman suddenly crossed the road.

He tried to avoid hitting the woman but his vehicle swerved and hit a concrete post instead.