An 18-year-old woman was detained at the Carbon Police Station after being caught stealing beauty products from a mall in Barangay Pahina Central, Cebu City on Thursday afternoon, April 23, 2026. The suspect, identified only by the alias Ella, is a student and resident of Banawa, Cebu City.
Incident Details
Initial investigation revealed that a store security guard apprehended Ella after she failed to pass through the cashier to pay for the cosmetics she placed in her bag. The stolen items included 13 face powders, 12 skin tints, 9 foundations, 9 lip and cheek stains, 5 oil control face powders, 2 eyeshadow palettes, and 1 glow getter, with a total value of P11,689.
Suspect's Statement
During an interview, Ella admitted to committing the crime, stating that she had no money to pay for her prenatal checkup scheduled for Monday, April 27. She added that she is six months pregnant and her boyfriend is unemployed. She also felt ashamed to ask her parents for help, claiming she was forced by extreme poverty.
Store Management Decision
Despite Ella's apology, the store management announced that they are determined to file charges and will not settle the matter amicably. Ella remains in custody at the Carbon Police Station.
