Suspected thieves fall for victimizing cop

CEBU, Philippines - They picked the wrong victim this time.

Six members of a notorious gang were apprehended after they tried to steal the backpack of the chief of the Theft and Robbery Section of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Tuesday afternoon.

Insp. William Homoc was eating in a restaurant in barangay Pusok when the suspected thieves struck.

He said that he noticed five people enter the restaurant and then they sat near him.

The group was talking about the recent victory of Manny Pacquiao in his fight against Antonio Margarito and even asked Homoc for his opinion, which got the police officer to join the discussion.

While they were talking, Homoc noticed that his black backpack that he placed beside him was missing.

The police officer did not immediately react and noticed that the people did not even bother to order food.

He also noticed a woman carrying a huge shoulder bag pass by behind him.

As he observed the woman, he saw the strap of his bag and realized that he became a victim of a gang preying on unsuspecting diners.

Homoc waited for the woman to leave the restaurant and the people who sat around him also started to leave.

The police officer followed the group and saw them board a passenger minicab along with the woman, who was carrying a shoulder bag.

Homoc called for back up by radio and followed the minicab.

Operatives of the TRS intercepted the passenger vehicle and all suspects were arrested.

Homoc was able to retrieve his backpack that contained a digital camera worth P10,000, a Nokia cellular phone worth P12,000, and a Swiss Army knife worth P12,000.

The six suspects, who were apprehended were identified as Ryan de la Torre, 34; Louie Dumagat, 20; Joan Rezel, 33; Jon Magno, 30; Cecilia Saragosa, 30; and Jomar Rimandiman, 21. All of them are residents of Jagobiao, Mandaue City.

PO3 Ranilo Valiente said that each of the suspects were also found in possession of a small pack of white crystalline substance believed to be shabu.

A stick of marijuana was also seized from Rimandiman.

The suspects are now detained at the LLCPO stockade. – /NLQ  (FREEMAN)