Seven individuals, including six members of the LGBTQ community and a single mother, were arrested during a joint police operation in Cebu City over alleged theft activities targeting customers in restobars.
The operation was conducted past 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 7, at a pension house along Pelaez Street in Barangay Kalubihan.
The arrests were carried out by personnel from the Cebu City Police Office, the Investigation and Detective Management Unit, and the Carbon Police Station.
Authorities launched the operation after a man reported that his cellphone was allegedly stolen while drinking with six gay individuals and one woman at a bar on Pelaez Street.
According to the complainant, his cellphone worth P10,000 went missing after they spent time together drinking inside the establishment.
Police immediately conducted a follow-up operation that led to the arrest of the suspects.
Authorities also recovered the victim’s cellphone during the operation.
During a press conference, Cebu City Police Office Director Colonel George Ylanan said the group allegedly targeted foreigners visiting bars in the city.
Police said the suspects’ alleged modus involved distracting victims while accomplices took their belongings.
In an interview with Brigada News FM Cebu, one of the arrested suspects identified as alias “Ley,” a 27-year-old single mother, apologized for the incident.
While in tears, she said she was allegedly forced to commit the act because of financial hardship and to support her two children.
The arrested suspects are expected to face theft charges.
