12-year-old fights off cell phone snatcher

A graphic artist despairing over the absence of projects to work on preyed on a 12-year-old boy instead on Thursday, grabbed his mobile phone and sped off on his motorcycle thinking it was easy pickings.

However, suspect Rodelio Ramos, 38, was proven wrong after feisty Justin Buenaquia fought to get back his Sony Ericsson T320.

PO3 Hector Ortencio, investigator of Sub-station 4, said the young Buenaquia was busy texting friends at around 3 p.m. in front of his house when Ramos came scooting by. Ramos pulled over and parked.

Ramos approached the boy and pretended to ask for the time. The boy innocently drew his phone from his trouser pocket to check. Before the boy could even press the main power button, Ramos snatched the phone and ran towards his parked motorcycle.

Undeterred, Buenaquia ran after Ramos and grabbed his shirt as Ramos started the engine.

Ramos hit the gas but the boy would not let go, dragging him for several meters. Ramos punched and pushed the boy with his free hand but the boy stuck to him like a leech until they crashed to the ground.

Buenaquia then cried for help and Ramos was beaten up by an irate mob before he was rescued by PO1 Rogelio Nalayog who happened to be passing by. He saw the commotion, broke it up and arrested the hapless Ramos.