snatcher on the lrt train
By iluvusabado
@iluvusabado (2560)
Philippines
March 24, 2013 12:31am CST
i rode the lrt train last week. when the train was at the gil puyat avenue, a male passenger who just got in said that his pone was snatched or stolen by another passenger. he even tried to get the attention of the guard but to no avail. another passenger offered him his phone to call his stolen phone but it's already dead. a man suggested that he go back to where he lost his phone to report it to the management of the LRT. after he alight the train, three men got off the train in the next station.
then i heard some of the passengers talking that the three en are the culprits. they are like a syndicate of snatchers. a man said that he was suspicious of one of the three because he was being followed in the train station. it's just that he had no concrete evidence that he was the one who stole the phone. especially since the phone didn't ring. another one of the three is the one who suggested he go back to where he lost the phone. maybe it was part of their strategy to get rid of the owner. well, it's easy to say that it was an organized syndicate. the diversions were well placed.
my only suggestion is to always take care of your personal belongings. and as much as possible don't display your expensive gadgets or jewelries that would attract the attention of criminals and put your life in danger.
1 person likes this
17 responses
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
2 Apr 13
they don't know that they are just attracting possible bad people out there.
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
25 Mar 13
Oh I think this is very common in these kind of places. I think that they are all organized and they strike when there is an opportunity they see.
You're right about not showing off your gadgets when in those places. I even do not bother to answer any text or calls when I am in it since I think that could just endanger my gadget to be the next target. When I am in those place I keep it where it would not be noticed by anyone.
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
10 Apr 13
well turning it off assures you it will not ring and get other people's attention. though i think putting it to silent mode is better.
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
7 Apr 13
i often turn off my phone when i'm in public transport and just turn it off whenever i feel secured about the place.
1 person likes this
@cobalt20 (1318)
• Philippines
24 Mar 13
Those snatchers must be caught and sent to jail. Do not show your gadgets and even jewelries. The criminals were around.
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
31 Mar 13
i'm not really a showy person with my phones or expensive things. i'm well aware that there are possible criminals roaming around. and i don't want to endanger my life in the first place.
1 person likes this
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
7 Apr 13
i don't advise to shout for help. maybe you should try to slowly run away. anyways, there are a lot of people. the criminal won't attack you immediately. go immediately near the proper authorities.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
25 Mar 13
Hello iluvusabado, It's hard life in the Philippines specially in the metro but the lesson there is that if you can afford two cell phone that can have two sims, buy one that is old and keep one at home that is new. that way, no one would fell interested on your phone. reminds me of the one who followed me on cinema, i ran away and he stop following me there. from then on, either i don't go to cinema or unless i have a group of people with me.
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
7 Apr 13
yes that's a good strategy. i actually thought of it. buying a new model phone and an old one. use the old one in texting in public and the new one in business transactions.
@lady1993 (27224)
• Philippines
27 Mar 13
Yeah, crimes these days are done with careful thought and good strategy which is why it is hard to catch the culprits. I am glad i do not live in Manila or some other busy island, although crimes happen here a lot too- i have never experienced it... Maybe because i do not also flaunt my stuff and do not have expensive gadgets. 
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
7 Apr 13
we have the same luck i guess. i'm not also into expensive gadgets so i'm not a really good victim for them.
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
24 Mar 13
his phone was taken from where -- his pants pocket or his backpack? i'm female so it's in my bag, in that inside pocket with the zipper. also i make sure my bag is in front of me, not behind. even when i'm sitting in public transpo or in a public place, it's still slung over my shoulder. some women just put their bags on their laps.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
25 Mar 13
Same here, i never put them at the back, it can be an obvious target for the snatchers. besides, it's really dangerous to put out your advance gadget worth thousands just to have it stolen. another thng is that never bring them on the streets specially the touchpad phones, you can be an easy target. i do look around every time i go to the city.
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
31 Mar 13
from his pants' pocket. i always place my back pack in front of me. glad i haven't experienced any snatching my entire life.
@chiyosan (30183)
• Philippines
25 Mar 13
i think that snatchers and holdapers do not work alone. those that do work alone are small time and would often do so in a place where there are not much people.
those that do so in a public place like a train, or malls, or in an open area... well those would have to be a lot of them because they need diversions and they have to be a lot so they can do that..
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
31 Mar 13
well, it's really a part of their strategy to create distractions and diversions to avoid getting caught. that's why they recruit several members.
@stanley777 (9402)
• Philippines
25 Mar 13
We don't really knew what had happened before the incident but as what you have stated, the man said that his phone was snatched by another passenger. This is a common incident especially in crowded places. Maybe, he is using it while waiting for the train in full view of the snatcher, so when he got a chance the guy took it while the crowd were pushing and shoving entering the train. So he may not know who really took it. Anyway, we all knew that these people picked crowded places to do their thing.
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
7 Apr 13
that maybe true. he said that he placed his phone into his pocket just when he was about to board the train. then suddenly someone took it. maybe the culprits have been spying on him and just grabbed the opportunity to take it when he got in the train.
@cowboyofhell (3063)
• Philippines
24 Mar 13
Not the best time and place in the world to be bringing cellphones. Those who steal have food available to them, luck on their side, and the victim's lack of vigilance an endless resource. Better keep an eye on them.
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
31 Mar 13
that's so true. we should all know that. maybe the guy was just complacent about that.
@Raine38 (12391)
• United States
24 Mar 13
I say if there's 3 of them that will split the "proceeds", then they need to victimize more than one passenger. 
That is so sad, and sometimes no matter how careful you are, they will just take your whole bag or even slash it. It is hard to distinguish the culprit from normal passengers because they are also dressed properly and looks clean that you will never suspect them. They also do not choose whether male or female they have some strategy for that.
That is so sad, and sometimes no matter how careful you are, they will just take your whole bag or even slash it. It is hard to distinguish the culprit from normal passengers because they are also dressed properly and looks clean that you will never suspect them. They also do not choose whether male or female they have some strategy for that.@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
31 Mar 13
more or less they will victimize other people. maybe they have a quota for a day.
@coxjoseph5 (209)
• United States
25 Mar 13
Never use or isplay hou ophone in any public place, eepney or bus or train. this is what they are looking for,if you put it a way careless ly they will get it. it is calle live and learn.
@bhelle76 (353)
• Canada
25 Mar 13
A lot of snatchers in our country and we know that! Particularly in a crowded place. So beware, especially if your gadget is very epensive. (sorry the letter of my laptop doesn't work lol).
The daughter of my friend has two cellphones; Iphone 4 and the regular phone from smart. The Iphone was her old phone about 8 months and the other phone she just bought. Two man followed her from the store and asked to give her phone to them or the guys will stab her, she begged to them to take the phone and leave her alone. However, the other guy spotted the Iphone while she was in the store and said, keep your new one just gave us your Iphone.
The snatchers are very smart nowadays, they know how to choose. So beware...
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
7 Apr 13
well, at least she got her new phone. and din't lose everything to the bad people.
@Hopefull90 (921)
• United States
24 Mar 13
It is so nice to live where I don't have to worry about that. I have lost a check worth 150 dollars one worth 200 and my drivers license. I lost my drivers license and a charge card in Maui but even that returned to me. The two checks and drivers license were returned to me. I in turn found a small purse chuck full of cards outside of a bank. I took it in and gave it to the teller and she called the person while I was still there to let them know where the purse was. I always gave an award to those who returned my things.
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
31 Mar 13
well, how lucky you are that the person who found your things is an honest person. i also applaud you that you did the same thing. the world needs a lot more people like you.
@donatello123 (326)
• Philippines
25 Mar 13
Yes there are probably a part of a syndicate. I kinda feel amazed on how these criminals do their bad activities. Before, snatchers are just soloists. But now, they are already a gang and they also play an act for them to do their bad thing in order for the victim and other people not to notice the activity. We just have to be very cautious to prevent and avoid being a victim. Using cellphones while on a public place is not safe.
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
7 Apr 13
yes. if you really want to avoid danger, you better behave properly and try to not catch anyone's attention. blend with the crowd i guess.
@machatago (385)
• Philippines
24 Mar 13
We have got that a lot here in the city. You just have to be careful and take good care of your belongings. And never text or use your phone in public, especially if the place is known for snatchers.
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
31 Mar 13
you'll never know the intentions of other people. you just have to take care of yourself.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
24 Mar 13
There simply is no safe place for us as long as there are people who thinks of gaining in the expense of others. I do not know how we could ever walk in the streets without having to clutch to our bags that tight. I mean, not all could really have expensive things inside the bags that each one carries, but just the thought of losing our things coz of these criminals, our cities are never safe!
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
31 Mar 13
material things can always be replaced. but if you or the people you love get killed?
@vexxus (712)
• Philippines
24 Mar 13
Therefore I conclude, snatchers and other criminal entity are becoming intelligent and they too have a very well organized plan and you won't suspect them that they are even bad. Surprisingly, you can even search the internet to become a very slick in such things, being vigilant to your surroundings is the best and only way not to be a victim.On the other hand, the more you care less about your things, the more you are vulnerable in such attack. especially if you are in a very crowded area.
@iluvusabado (2560)
• Philippines
31 Mar 13
maybe they're a syndicate/gang who work always as a team.
