A suspected thief was beaten by residents in Barangay Guilig, Mangaldan, Pangasinan after he was caught inside a home and allegedly tried to assault one of the occupants.

An amateur video showed the man lying on the ground, bloodied, after neighbors rushed in when they heard calls for help.

According to police, the suspect broke into a house through the back gate and entered a window. CCTV footage captured how he walked around the house without covering his face.

“Talagang wala po siyang cover sa mukha at binubuksan 'yung mga gate, 'yung mga pinto, pero alam niya na may mga CCTV na nakikita siya,” PLt. Col. Perlito Tuayon, chief of Mangaldan Police Station, said.

Police said the suspect stole a laptop, cellphones, and cash. He also entered a bedroom where Isabela (not her real name) and her child were sleeping. The suspect allegedly attempted to molest her.

“Noong nagkatinginan po kami, dinakma niya po ako. Tinakpan po niya yung bibig ko po,” Isabela said.

“Sa totoo lang, [na-]trauma kami doon po sa nangyari,” she added.

Isabela’s child managed to seek help quickly, alerting neighbors who rushed to the house. Residents subdued the suspect and recovered the stolen items.

Police said the man, 29, has previous complaints filed against him in other barangays. He is now in police custody and faces charges of robbery and attempted rape. The suspect declined to give a statement.

Authorities urged the public to further secure their homes by investing on alarm devices.

“Tumataas nga po yung crimes against property natin kaya pinapanawagan po natin na dapat i-secure po nila yung mga gamit nila. Mag-invest po sila sa mga alarm device, mga CCTV,” Tuayon said.