A man linked to several robbery incidents in Bacolod City was arrested in a buy-bust operation with suspected shabu worth P70,000.

“Isa siya sa mga robbery hold-up suspects sa Bacolod City. Almost sa mga nabibiktima, na-identify siya na nagho-hold-up sa kanila,” said Lt. Col. Albert Sy, chief of the Bacolod City Drug Enforcement Unit.

This man, identified as alias “Nico,” was arrested shortly after he and another suspect robbed a female student in Barangay Villamonte.

As seen on a video that captured the incident, the suspects were riding a motorcycle and stopped beside the girl who was walking home. At first glance, it appeared they were only speaking with the girl but, as it turned out, they were already aiming a knife at her. Out of fear, the student handed over her cellphone and bag to the two suspects.

“Na-holdap siya ng dalawang riding-in-tandem. Tinanong kung anong oras, kinuha ang cellphone at bag niya. Madilim ang area kaya nagkaroon ng opportunity,” said Lt. Conan Gadayan, deputy chief of the Bacolod City Police Station 4.

The student would later identify alias “Nico” positively after the man was arrested in the buy-bust operation.

“Pina-verify namin sa biktima. Na-identify niya na ‘yun ang naging suspect,” Gadayan said.

According to the police, the student will file charges against alias “Nico.” The suspect did not issue any statement since his arrest.

Sy said they are also looking at the possibility that alias “Nico” might have been connected to a man who was found dead in Barangay Pahanocoy. The two reportedly figured in several robbery incidents.