Teen, gang member, caught in Pasay phone theft

A 25-year-old man allegedly affiliated with the Sputnik Gang and a teenage male were arrested at midnight on Friday for reportedly stealing a cellphone from a sleeping ride-hailing driver in Pasay City, according to the Southern Police District (SPD).

The SPD identified the adult suspect as alias “Pangit,” an e-bike driver residing in Barangay 185, Maricaban. His younger companion is a 16-year-old student from the same area.

The incident reportedly happened early Thursday morning along Andrews Avenue. The victim, identified as alias “Marlon,” a Grab driver from Los Baños, Laguna, had pulled over near the Philippine Airlines office to nap after feeling unwell, slightly opening his window for ventilation.

He woke up hours later to find his phone, worth nearly P13,000, missing from his car’s mobile holder.

Personnel of Sub-Station 7, led by PLt. Joseph Tayabas, traced the suspects using CCTV footage from nearby barangays. One clip captured the suspects approaching and stealing the victim’s mobile phone.

Alias “Pangit” and his companion were arrested on 4 July at 1:43 AM. The stolen phone was recovered during the operation.

The adult suspect is currently in police custody at Sub-Station 7, while the minor, classified as a Child in Conflict with the Law, will be turned over to the Pasay Youth Center.