CCTV catches child taking cellphone from couple in Baclaran

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras caught a child thief taking a phone from the bag of a couple near the Baclaran Church at Pasay after tailing them for what seemed like a few minutes.

In the footage shown on 24 Oras Thursday, a child in a black shirt and cap walked behind a couple in red to scope out their movements, the placement of their gadgets, and the contents of their bag.

The child only took the phone from the couple once they entered a heavily-crowded, narrow street by market stalls.

"Kasi hindi sila masyadong pansinin ng mga bata eh. Hindi katulad nung mga may-edad na. May mga tatlong pulis na nagbabantay, biro mo, nalulusutan pa," Brgy. 146 Chairman Antonio Reyes said.

He was able to slide the phone between his armpit and nonchalantly walked away. The couple was only able to alert police of the loss hours after the crime occurred.

According to authorities, children like the thief in the video dropped their loot to fences or black market buyers in another barangay.

"Meron na silang talagang area na talagang babagsakan kung merong ganoong order. Parang istilo na talaga nila," Reyes said.

Due to the prevalence of the crime, authorities are now obliged to look out for wandering children near Baclaran Church. -Rie Takumi/NB, GMA News