A 35-year-old man is back in custody after he allegedly dropped his identification card while fleeing the scene of a cellphone snatching Friday afternoon in Barangay Sacred Heart.

The suspect was arrested after he allegedly grabbed a P30,000 smartphone from a customer waiting for food at an eatery on Scout Limbaga Street.

According to Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 10, the suspect fled on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice.

The victim found the suspect's ID at the scene and later used a tracking application on a laptop to locate the stolen phone.

"The victim went home and opened a laptop connected to the phone," said Lt. Col. Zachary Capellan, QCPD Station 10 commander. "The tracking application pointed to the same address listed on the dropped ID."

During a follow-up operation at the suspect's residence, police recovered the stolen cellphone and an improvised firearm.

The suspect admitted to the crime, telling authorities he needed money for house rent after his own motorcycle — which he used for work — broke down.

Records show the suspect was released from prison in 2024 after serving eight years for illegal possession of firearms. He also has a prior criminal record involving theft and illegal drugs.