3 men caught on CCTV stealing phone while asking for donations

Authorities are searching for a group of men who allegedly pretended to solicit donations for a sports tournament and stole a cellphone from a store in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

According to Kim Salinas’ report on “State of the Nation” on Wednesday, CCTV footage showed that three men entered the store and presented a solicitation letter to the store attendant.

The victim gave P50 to one of the suspect. Meanwhile, his companions allegedly took a cellphone that was left on a nearby table.

The victim attempted to chase the suspects but failed to catch up with them.

The suspects allegedly tried to hide their faces from being captured by the CCTV camera.

Barangay officials said they are not organizing any sports event, contrary to the suspects’ claims.

Authorities learned that the same group allegedly used the same modus in Talisay City.

The public was reminded to validate such solicitation letters by taking a photo of it and getting in touch with barangay officials to verify it.

Meanwhile, in Oton, Iloilo, surveillance footage caught a man allegedly stealing a laptop from a store.

A store employee said the laptop contained data about the store’s inventory.

Authorities are investigating if the suspect is the same man who stole a tip box from a store in Barangay Poblacion South last March 9. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/JMA, GMA Integrated News