A pair of cellphone snatchers lost custody of their motorcycle after their victim took its keys and ran to the nearest police station in a move which appeared to have been inspired by funny videos on social media.
According to Oscar Oida’s report on “24 Oras,” Las Piñas chief of police Police Colonel Jaime Santos said he initially doubted victim Mark Russel Zapata’s story because it was akin to skits on Tiktok.
He said he ordered an investigation because Zapata’s story might have been a prank.
“Or baka baliktad ‘yung storya. Siya ‘yung mismong nangarnap ng motor at ginawan lang niya ng baliktad na kuwento,” Santos said.
(Or he could have reversed the story and he was the one who stole the motorcycle.)
CCTV footage showed Zapata on Sunday morning waiting for a ride when a man riding a motorcycle approached him.
Zapata said the man offered him a woman, which he said he rejected.
The man parked his motorcycle a few meters away and then returned to Zapata with a companion, who snatched the victim’s phone.
Zapata followed them, and when they were about to flee on the motorcycle, he grabbed the key and immediately ran to the police station.
He said he took the key so that the suspects could not flee and so that they could be immediately identified.
Police recovered the motorcycle and traced its owner in Bacoor, Cavite.
The suspects had reportedly borrowed the vehicle. They are reportedly involved in drugs and gambling. —Sherylin Untalan/NB, GMA Integrated News
