Freebies lead to alleged serial thief’s arrest in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — A seemingly generous offer of free tissues and vinegar led to the arrest of a woman with a decade-long record of theft-related cases across Metro Manila after she allegedly used the distraction to steal a shopper’s wallet at a supermarket in Quezon City.

The suspect approached the shopper at around 10 a.m. Tuesday while she was grocery shopping in Barangay Novaliches Proper and offered her free tissue and vinegar.

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The suspect then allegedly used the brief interaction to take the shopper’s wallet before walking away and continuing to roam the supermarket aisles.

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“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 shopper later realized that her wallet was missing and alerted the store’s security personnel, who coordinated with the Quezon City Police District’s Novaliches Police Station 4.

Authorities located the suspect inside the supermarket and arrested her, recovering the wallet, which contained the victim’s Quezon City identification card.

According to police, a background check showed that the suspect had been involved in 28 cases filed since 2014, including 23 theft-related offenses involving theft, warrantless theft and pickpocketing. The cases were recorded in Quezon City, Manila, Marikina, Caloocan, Pasay, Camarines Norte and Aklan.

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Her record also included multiple counts of estafa, as well as single violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, and Presidential Decree No. 1602, which covers illegal gambling.

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