Woman with 28 previous cases nabbed for alleged supermarket wallet theft

MANILA, Philippines — A woman with 28 previous cases, including 23 theft-related offenses, was arrested after allegedly stealing a shopper’s wallet inside a supermarket in Barangay Novaliches Proper, Quezon City, police said Wednesday.

The suspect’s cases since 2014 include theft, pickpocketing and other forms of stealing, as well as multiple cases of estafa and single cases involving violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs recorded in Quezon City, Manila, Marikina, Caloocan, Pasay, Camarines Norte and Aklan, according to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD). 

She was arrested by personnel of the QCPD’s Novaliches Police Station 4 after allegedly stealing a shopper’s wallet inside the grocery store at around 10 a.m. Tuesday.

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Authorities said the suspect approached the victim and offered free tissue and vinegar before allegedly taking the wallet when the shopper’s attention was diverted.

“While the victim’s attention was diverted, the suspect discreetly swiped the victim’s wallet before walking away to continue roaming the aisles,” police said in a statement.

The victim noticed that her wallet was missing and immediately alerted store security, who coordinated with responding police officers.

Law enforcement then located and arrested the suspect inside the establishment and recovered the stolen wallet from her possession.

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The wallet, which contained the victim’s Quezon City identification card, was subsequently returned to her.

The suspect remains in police custody and will be referred to the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings.  — Rendell Ivan Manuel, INQUIRER.net trainee /mr