A self-confessed pickpocket was arrested Monday night after he chose the wrong target — a policeman.
PO1 Ehrol Gamboa of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) was at the Cebu South Bus Terminal to get a ride in going home to barangay Sacsac, Dalaguete town, Cebu.
He was about to board a bus when he noticed a hand inside his pocket.
He grabbed the hand and arrested the pickpocket who was later identified as Juan “Maning” Chiong, 45, of A. Lopez St., barangay Calamba, Cebu City.
P01 Heracleo Cebuco and P01 Jefferson Base, detailed policemen at CSBT, also helped Gamboa.
They recovered Gamboa’s wallet from Chiong.
When he was frisked, they also recovered two small plastic packs suspected to contain shabu.
Chiong initially denied the accusations but later admitted that he is a member of a group of pickpockets who strikes at the terminal between 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. when passengers line up for a ride.
Chiong further admitted that they also strike in jeepneys where they slash bags to get the wallets and valuables of passengers.