Man nabbed for stealing cell phone, swindling

MANILA, Philippines — Police arrested a man for allegedly stealing a cell phone he was supposed to pay for during a transaction in Parañaque on Sunday.

Southern Police District chief Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg said Evans Joseph Sabornido, 36, was nabbed after he tried to run away from Mary Rose Santos, an online seller.

Santos said she met with Sabornido in front of a supermarket. The suspect got his hands on an iPhone 7 he ordered online.

Probers said Sabornido asked Santos if he could check the phone. But the suspect ran as soon as it was handed to him by the seller.

The seller’s companion, Edgar Benoya Jr., caught up with the suspect.

Patrolling police officers saw the incident and brought both parties to the police station for investigation.

Macaraeg reminded the public to deal with legitimate online sellers.

“Make it a habit to do a background check and make sure the place of the transaction is safe,” he said.

The suspect is being held by police on swindling charges.