THE police have already identified one of the two suspects in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City, last Wednesday.
The suspect, who was caught on CCTV camera, was later identified as Jomar Caballero del Socorro of Barangay Candulawan, Talisay City.
Senior Supt. Joel Doria, Cebu City Police Office director, however, said they still have to conduct a background check on the suspect.
“I already talked to the (concerned police) station. I directed them to conduct a manhunt in coordination with Talisay chief of police, and it turned out that they already identified the suspect. The investigators went directly to the house of the suspect and they positively identified him, but we will gather more solid and concrete evidence,” said Doria.
The incident happened at 3:38 p.m. last Wednesday. In a video captured by the CCTV camera of the sari-sari store, Stephanie Pepito, 19, the mother of the baby, was texting outside the store while the baby was sitting on her lap when Del Socorro and a still unidentified companion who were riding a motorcycle suddenly appeared and grabbed Pepito’s cell phone. She resisted at first but eventually gave in after the baby fell off her lap. The child was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Doria warned the public to be extra careful during the Christmas holiday.
“People should not wear expensive jewelry that may make attract criminals. They (criminals) fear no one. If they have the opportunity, they will grab it (jewelry). Police officers are doing their best to prevent and solve these crimes,” Doria added. /USJ-R Comm Intern Delyne Marl A. Saragena