CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga – Police arrested the former leader of the notorious Pascual Criminal Group and three companions during a firearms buy-bust operation in Concepcion, Tarlac on Saturday night, March 29.
CONTRABAND recovered from the suspects.
The suspects were identified as Romnick, Abel, Rocco, and Sam.
Romnick was apprehended after selling a firearm to a police poseur-buyer. His companions were caught for posing as National Bureau of Investigation agents.
Seized from the suspects were a 9mm Rock Island Armory pistol with a magazine and seven bullets, a black sling bag with a .45 caliber pistol with a loaded magazine, a grenade, and a document listing their next potential targets. Police did not disclose who are these targets.
The suspects face charges for violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act (RA 10591), the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (RA 9165), the law against possession of explosives (RA 9516), and usurpation of authority under the Revised Penal Code.
Police said Romnick was the former leader of the Pascual Criminal Group involved in illegal drugs, motorcycle theft, cigarette smuggling, and robbery-holdup in Tarlac, often posing as law enforcement agents.
Romnick has an outstanding arrest warrant for theft issued by the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 2, Tarlac City.
Police Regional Office-3 Director Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo cited operating units for a successful operation.