A former convict was again apprehended after allegedly pickpocketing a 19-year-old student’s smartphone at a popular convenience store in Tagbilaran City in the wee hours of Friday.

Suspect Jennel Degamo, 30, of Barangay Bool in Tagbilaran City, was caught on closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) mounted inside the Dalikyat Convenience Store along Maria Clara Street in Barangay Cogon, police said in a report.

Police immediately responded and Degamo was arrested 30 minutes after allegedly stealing the iPhone of Maria Sanchez of Baclayon town.

He was spotted at a motorcycle shop at the corner of Tamblot Street and CPG Avenue, less than a kilometer away from the convenience store where he allegedly stole the smartphone.

Operatives of the Tagbilaran police’s theft and robbery section found the stolen phone and a bladed weapon in Degamo’s possession, authorities said.

Sanchez told police that she did not notice the suspect as he took her phone from her shoulder bag while she was lining up at the cashier.

She only noticed that her phone was missing after she went out of the store.

Sanchez then immediately asked for the store attendant to review their CCTV footage which allegedly showed Degamo grabbing something out of her bag.

Degamo is now under the custody of the Tagbilaran City Police Station and set to be charged with theft and violation against Batas Pambansa Blg. 6 for possession of a bladed weapon.

He was previously convicted of a gun charge and was released from prison after serving his sentence. (W. Maestrado)