Three alleged members of a notorious robbery and kidnap group were arrested by Parañaque City police during a follow-up operation in Pasig City on Tuesday, May 31.
Police identified the suspects as Vez Nathaniel Sunga, 34; Gerald Daroy, 27; and Eduardo lgnacio, 49, tricycle driver, all residents of Tondo, Manila.
Col. Maximo Sebastian, Parañaque City police chief, said the suspects, who were presented to Southern Police District (SPD) director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, were arrested at around 12:55 p.m. at Molave Compound in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City.
Sebastian reported that the suspects were responsible for the series of robbery incidents in convenience stores in Muntinlupa, Las Piñas City, and Calabarzon area.
The latest victim of the group was a store at Meliton Espiritu Compound in Barangay San Antonio, Parañaque City.
Based on the report of Sebastian, the suspects destroyed the roll-up door and padlock of the store using a bolt cutter.
Once inside, the suspects took away one DVR of the CCTV, server of the computer, CPU of a computer, and P60,300 cash which they scooped from the Touch Pay machine.
Police said a witness claimed that the suspects used a Nissan Serena with plate number XFH-251 as their getaway vehicle.
Probers later found out that the vehicle was registered under the name of a school on Honorio Lopez Boulevard in Balut, Tondo, Manila.
During a follow-up operation, Parañaque cops spotted the car in Pasig City and arrested the suspects after coordinating with the local police.
Police found inside the Nissan Serena three different plate numbers, one big bolt cutter, one pointed steel flat bas, duct tapes, six assorted keys, and other tools.
Macaraeg said that during investigation, probers learned that Sunga, also known as Lucky, is one of the leaders of the “Lucky Robbery and Kindapping Group” being protected by a former policeman.
Ignacio, on the other hand, was released on bail after his arrest in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa; while Daroy was also previously arrested for robbery extortion, robbery and violation of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.
The SPD chief ordered the police investigators to dig deeper on the activities of the suspects’ group and hunt down their other members.