Student turns table on jeepney snatcher in Davao

A man linked to several jeepney snatching incidents in past months and whose mug had gone viral on Facebook was arrested on Monday, after a student whose mobile phone the snatcher took caught up with him with the help of residents.

The student noticed her mobile phone was missing just as the suspect identified as Raul Vergavera was getting off the jeep, GMA Davao reported.

"(N)auna siyang bumaba, then I noticed may inilagay siyang phone sa kanyang pocket. Feeling ko pareho siya sa phone ko. Pagbaba ko, medyo nakalayo-layo na siya kaunti, na-notice ko rin na nawala yung phone ko," said the student.

Arnold Torrecampo, whose help the student sought, chased the suspect and shouted to residents in the area for help. Residents eventually caught the suspect.

Vergavera had been linked to similar snatching incidents in past months.

Vergavera's mug had gone viral on Facebook, but he said he managed to lie low by staying at his house.

When asked why he went out again, he said, "wala na kasi kaming pambili ng bigas."

Superintendent Royina Garma, head of the Sta. Ana police station, said the victim and her mother plan to pursue charges against Vergavera. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News