Police seize stolen phone, motorcycle from notorious rob group's safehouse

CEBU, Philippines - The joint operation conducted by the Mandaue City Police Office, the Consolacion police, and the Danao City police recovered yesterday a stolen motorcycle and a cellular phone, which possibly belongs to one of three Italian tourists who came to Cebu City for the Sinulog Festival last week.

The car and the phone were taken from the safe house of robbery gang leader Harold Vincent Barbero, a notorious robber and car thief who died in a shootout with the Provincial Intelligence Bureau last January 17 in barangay Tabunok in Talisay City. 

Theft and Robbery Section chief P/Insp. Ramil Morpos yesterday said the police went to Barbero’s safe house in barangay Sabang, Danao City after receiving information that some of the gang’s loot were still in this house. 

Morpos theorized the Nokia Vodaphone could belong to Italian national Michele Loungo for the reason that the names of Loungo’s two companions who were his neighbors that were also robbed in barangay Lahug, Cebu City appear in the cellular phone’s directory.

Aside from the phone, also recovered was a mint green and black Yamaha Mio, minus the plate number.

Morpos said the owner may claim the motorcycle at his station. 

Barbero’s group has been involved in robberies and car thefts in Metro Cebu.

Other members of the gang were identified as Ronald Dindin, Marlon Hermoso, both of Danao City, and Justin Flores of barangay Pasil, Cebu City.

Their arrest came following the apprehension of Marlon Andrino, 34, of barangay Magay, Compostela town, who is facing charges for several counts of robbery and carnapping.

Andrino was caught last January 12 by the Mandaue City police after robbing a woman in barangay Banilad, Mandaue City.

Andrino was arrested in a follow-up operation but his accomplice, Junie Caraat, was shot by the police in the head during a chase. (FREEMAN)