Pickpockets collared

Three women were arrested Sunday after allegedly stealing a wallet containing cash and identification cards from a 68-year-old shopper in Barangay 16, local police said.

The incident occurred at about 9:45 a.m. along Bonifacio and Villanueva streets while the victim was browsing merchandise at local stalls.

According to police, the suspects surrounded the victim as she looked at items. The victim felt her shoulder bag move and saw one of the suspects pull out her leather wallet, which contained identification cards and P15,450.

When the victim confronted the group and demanded her wallet back, a 77-year-old suspect allegedly ignored her and handed the stolen items to a 43-year-old accomplice. The group then slipped into a crowd to evade her.

The victim reported the theft to the Laoag City Police Station, prompting officers to launch a hot-pursuit operation.

At about 12:15 p.m., police patrolling Juan Luna Street with the victim spotted three women standing outside a fast-food restaurant. The victim positively identified them as the perpetrators.

Officers arrested the three suspects, identified as a 77-year-old widow and a 43-year-old woman, both from Sinait, Ilocos Sur, along with an adult woman from Tondo, Manila.

Police said officers informed the suspects of their constitutional rights using a language they understood and recorded the arrest on an alternative recording device.

The suspects and recovered items were taken to the Laoag City Police Station for booking and the filing of criminal charges.