Rob suspect targets online cell phone sellers

MANILA, Philippines - A robbery suspect, who was arrested in Quezon City for allegedly victimizing a businessman selling a cell phone online, has been tagged in another heist in Caloocan City, using the same modus operandi, an official said yesterday.

Robert Joaquin, 32, allegedly runs off with cell phones of his victims during the supposed meet-up for the sale.

Superintendent Osmundo de Guzman, commander of the Quezon City Police District Station 1, said Joaquin was arrested on Monday after he was chased by his alleged victim, Kirk Andrew Maglaya. 

De Guzman said Maglaya is engaged in the online trade of different items, including cell phones.

Maglaya, a resident of Parañaque, earlier received a text message from the complainant, who was supposedly interested in buying an iPhone 5s that the victim was selling online.

Maglaya agreed to meet with the suspect at night in front of a church along A. Bonifacio Avenue.

However, during the meet-up, the suspect took Maglaya’s iPhone 5s at knifepoint. Joaquin ran off with the phone but the victim chased him, catching the attention of policemen who arrested the suspect.

While the suspect was in detention, another businessman tagged him in another heist in Caloocan on May 7, De Guzman said. 

According to the complainant, he was also selling a cell phone online and was robbed by the suspect using the same modus operandi.