Man caught on CCTV stealing charged cellphone from Valenzuela store

• CCTV footage captured a man stealing a cellphone from a store in Valenzuela City
• The victim lost a ₱6,000 phone and ₱9,000 in e-wallet funds
• The suspect fled the scene on a bicycle toward Bulacan
• Barangay officials and police have tightened security while searching for the suspect

Authorities are investigating a theft incident after a man was caught on CCTV stealing a cellphone from a store in Barangay Bignay, Valenzuela City, on Sunday evening, January 11, 2026.

According to barangay officials, the incident happened shortly after 6 p.m. CCTV footage showed a man initially appearing to be a customer as he stood in front of the store and looked at the menu. Moments later, he briefly stepped away. When he returned, he positioned himself near a small service window and discreetly took a cellphone that was charging inside the store.

The victim, identified as Irish Shaen Opema, said the theft happened while she briefly went inside the shop to get change.

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“Pumasok ako sa loob kasi nagpabarya ako. ‘Yung kasama ko po naghuhugas siya. Pagbalik ko po nakita ko na lang nakalaylay na ‘yung charger ko,” Opema said.

The stolen cellphone was valued at ₱6,000. The device also contained ₱9,000 in e-wallet funds, which Opema said belonged to her class, as she serves as their treasurer. The victim, who is a working student, expressed concern over the loss.

“Malaking halaga rin po ‘yun, student lang po ako hindi ko po kayang bayaran ‘yun. Hoping po talaga ako na maibabalik ‘yung phone ko,” she said.

CCTV footage also captured the suspect fleeing the area on a bicycle. Barangay officials said he headed toward Hulo Street before turning to Galas Street, a route believed to lead to Meycauayan, Bulacan.

Barangay Bignay CCTV operator James Christian Lopez said the suspect did not appear to be a local resident.

“Nagmamadali na po siya tapos nakatakip na ‘yung mukha niya ng facemask. Hindi po namin siya mamukhaang residente namin,” Lopez said.

Following the incident, barangay authorities and police have increased security measures in the area as the search for the suspect continues.

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In an earlier local report by KAMI, a family of three was mercilessly shot and killed inside their store in Barangay Mallorca, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. CCTV footage showed three men entering the shop, closing the roll-up door, and then shooting the entire family to death. Before fleeing, one of the suspects also took a bag and a cellphone belonging to the victims. According to a report by Gary De Leon of TV5 Frontline Pilipinas, the family started receiving threats after they lent P1 million to a resident of their barangay, who allegedly used the money for a business.

In another viral local report, a 51-year-old public school teacher in Las Piñas City was stabbed multiple times by her own husband. Based on a report by EJ Gomez on Unang Balita, the 38-year-old suspect committed the crime inside the school’s faculty room. Police said the school had a security guard, but since the suspect was a familiar face, he was able to enter and leave easily. The suspect claimed he went there to talk to his wife and fix their issues, but the situation escalated into a heated argument.

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Source: KAMI.com.gh