A 56-year-old woman arrested in August for illegal gambling in Sampaloc, Manila has been identified as a notorious thief facing five warrants of arrest for theft, the Manila Police District’s (MPD) Barbosa Police Station confirmed.

Police Lt. Col. Arwen Nacional, the station chief, said one of the warrants was served to the suspect while she was already detained at the Manila City Jail on 26 September. The warrant was pursued after police reviewed their records and found CCTV footage linking the woman to a theft at a fast-food restaurant in Manila.

The video reportedly showed the suspect sitting near a male customer and using a long-sleeved shirt to cover the victim’s bag while stealing its contents.

“We also looked at our files; we saw some CCTV videos where she was recorded in the actual theft,” Nacional said.

The suspect allegedly targets students and customers in the University Belt and Sampaloc areas. Police are now investigating the possibility that the woman is a member of an organized theft group.

Police reminded the public, particularly students, to remain vigilant as some thieves have the means to post bail and continue their criminal activities.

“For our students, let us avoid leaving our belongings unattended... because we are giving thieves an opportunity to commit crimes,” Nacional said.