Six "tiempo gang" members nabbed

CEBU, Philippines – Six suspected members of the notorious "tiempo gang" were arrested inside a pension house in Mandaue City after a foiled attempt to steal a woman's bag in Barangay Lahug Saturday night.

The police identified the suspects as Arlene Cortez, 38, and Sheila Mae Coton, 19, both from Bohol; Jomar Aloria, 25, Elaine Buenaventura, 24, and Jonathan Pitao, all from Davao and a 12-year-old boy who played a key role in the arrest of his cohorts.

The arrest resulted to the recovery of 25 assorted bags containing 35 wallets, 14 cellular phones, four wrist watches, nine 20 US dollars traveler's cheques, assorted sunglasses, a laptop bag, identification cards and books.

The items are believed to have been stolen by the suspects from their victims.

A staff of Grand Convention Center initially reported to the members of the Theft and Robbery Section of the Cebu City Police Office about the presence of suspected "tiempo gang" members at past 7:00 p.m. Saturday.

Stella Marie Intalan, 42, resident of Sangi, Minglanilla almost fell victim to the gang while she and her family were having dinner. The 12- year-old suspect tried to sneak out Intalan's bag but was caught by the victim's friend who saw the suspect.

It was the 12-year- old suspect who led the police operatives to the pension house in Barangay Cabancalan, Mandaue City where his cohorts are staying.

TRS operatives led by Sr. Insp. Bonifacio Garciano immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation resulting to the arrest of the suspects.

The suspects are now detained pending the filing of appropriate charges against them. (FREEMAN)