BY MINKA TIANGCO
An alleged cellphone snatcher was killed while his cohort was arrested in a scuffle with a police officer in Malate, Manila Wednesday night.
Police identified the fatality as Joshua Mansal, 20, and the arrested suspect as Delber Sta. Rita, 21, both residents of Tondo, Manila.
Investigation showed that a certain Andrea Ferrer, 18, was walking along the Capitan Ticong Street when the two motorcycle-riding suspects snatched her phone and fled toward Dagonoy Street.
Bystanders chased the motorcycle after hearing the victim scream “snatcher!”
During the chase, one of the suspects lost control of the vehicle and crashed into another motorcycle. The two left their motorcycle and fled on foot.
They were later blocked by Police Corporal Symon Marasigan. Mansal reportedly tried to draw something from his sling bag while Sta. Rita tried to steal the policeman’s firearm.
During the scuffle, the cop’s gun reportedly went off, hitting Mansal in the head.
Mansal died instantly while Rita was arrested.
Retrieved from the suspects were a blue Yamaha Mio scooter and a sling bag containing six cellphones, police said.
