BATARAZA, Philippines – A man suspected of being involved in a robbery in Brooke’s Point was arrested on July 16 following a hot pursuit operation in Bataraza. The suspect, identified as Christian Dave Vicencio, 23, a resident of Barangay Rio Tuba in Bataraza, was apprehended at Sitio Bukid Bukid.
Vicencio is accused of participating in a robbery that took place on July 14 in Barangay Tubtub, Brooke’s Point. The victim, 18-year-old Lendy Pancho, reported to police that she was riding her motorcycle when Vicencio and his companion chased her and blocked her path at Buligay Bridge around 9 p.m. The suspects allegedly threatened her with a gun and forced her to drive south on the national highway.
When they reached a farm in Tubtub, the suspects reportedly assaulted Pancho and stole her cellphone. Pancho managed to escape and hide, while the suspects fled the scene using her motorcycle, which was later found abandoned 30 meters away. The victim’s wallet, containing ₱7,000, was also taken.
Following the robbery, Vicencio allegedly fled to Rio Tuba, where he was eventually arrested. In addition to robbery charges, he will face violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act after suspected shabu, dried marijuana, and other illegal drug paraphernalia were found in his possession.
