The alleged leader of the Rasonabe Criminal Gang was arrested during a hot pursuit operation of the joint forces of the Philippine National Police PRO3 and PRO4-A at Sitio Sapang Putol, Brgy. San Juan, Taytay, Rizal on Tuesday, March 24.
The arrested Rasonabe criminal gang leader (Photo from Bulacan PPO)
The suspect is reportedly among the four armed suspects who forcibly entered the house of a jewelry merchant at La Residencia Subdivision, Brgy. Balite, Calumpit last March 21.
In the report of Bulacan PNP Provincial Director Col. Angel L. Garcillano to PRO3 Director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez, the suspect was identified as alias Gani, 29, who has pending arrest warrants from the Rizal Regional Trial Court.
Based on the preliminary investigation by Lt. Col. Leopoldo Estorque Jr., at exactly 12:50 p.m., the suspect was arrested for carnapping, robbery and theft.
The Rasonabe Criminal Gang is believed to be behind the series of robbery incidents in the towns of Bocaue, Calumpit, Bustos, and Balagtas in the province of Bulacan, and several towns in the province of Rizal.
Recovered from alias "Gani" were jewelry pieces taken from a businessman in Calumpit, a 9MM gun, ammunition, several expensive cellphones, a tablet, fake IDs, and cash worth ₱187,000.
The suspect was placed under the custody of the Calumpit municipal police station while an additional case is being prepared against him, including for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Last March 22, alias Gani's alleged cohort, a 33-year-old man, from Parañaque City, was tracked down and arrested in a follow-up operation conducted by the Bulacan police. He turned out to be the registered owner of the vehicle used in the Calumpit jewelry heist.