Police have arrested a man suspected of stabbing a barber, an arrest that was unexpectedly aided by a citizen’s test call to the emergency hotline 911.

The incident began on 4 August when the suspect, identified as 27-year-old Eljimm, allegedly stabbed a 43-year-old barber inside a barbershop in Barangay Pasong Tamo.

According to a police report, Eljimm had just gotten a haircut and returned about 30 minutes later to stab the barber before fleeing. The victim, who was taken to Quezon City General Hospital for treatment, reported the incident to Holy Spirit Police Station 14 later that day.

Officers began an investigation and coordinated with barangay officials to find leads and on 5 August, police received a 911 call reporting a stabbing. When officers responded, they discovered the caller was the victim’s wife, who admitted she was “merely testing the functionality of the emergency hotline and inquiring about the status of the case.”