The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) warned the public, particularly gays, against falling for the intimidation or coercion of robbers posing as policemen who accost them in the streets.

Chief Supt. George T. Regis, acting director of the QCPD, said the warning arose after Ryan Torres, 25, was arrested by PO3 Albert Lanuso of the Cubao Police Station (PS-7).

Torres was arrested at the Sogo Hotel on EDSA near corner Aurora Blvd. Monday  afternoon, based on the complaint of a 19-year-old male homosexual.

Investigation showed that the suspect identifying himself as a police officer accosted the victim and threatened to arrest him for prostitution if he would not check in with him at the hotel.

The suspect brought the victim to room 407 of the said hotel and divested him of  his Blackberry phone worth P15,000 and P1,740.

Police said the victim immediately reported the incident after leaving the hotel room.

During follow-up operation the suspect was caught in front of the hotel and yielded the stolen items.

It was learned that police uniform was also found from the suspect.

“Any person accosted on the street by persons purporting to be policemen should ask to see the official PNP ID of such person. If possible, to also note the badge number if a badge is shown. But definitely, they should not agree to go anywhere with supposed policemen, except to the police station,” Regis said.