A 55-year-old woman was arrested after allegedly stealing a bag from a female mall-goer inside a comfort room at SM Manila on Thursday afternoon, February 6. The suspect was identified as Mabel Reyes y Villaruz, a resident of Malate, Manila, who now faces a theft (salisi) charge.

Police said the incident happened around 4:30 p.m. when the victim, an accountant, briefly left her bag behind the toilet bowl while using the restroom. When she returned, the bag was already missing, prompting her to immediately seek assistance from mall security.

CCTV footage helped authorities identify the suspect, whom the victim later positively identified. Investigators added that the victim’s cellphone, which was inside the bag, was tracked using its location data, leading police to Barangay 704 in Malate where Villaruz was arrested at about 10:00 p.m.

During questioning, the suspect allegedly admitted taking the bag and discarding some of the victim’s IDs in San Andres, Malate. The recovered cellphone was returned to the victim, while other items reported stolen included a black McJim bag, a wallet with several IDs, and ₱832 in cash.

The suspect was brought to the Ermita Police Station early February 7 for detention and documentation as formal theft charges were being prepared.