7-11 robbers fall in Tondo

Five suspected members of the Samar Bagets gang believed behind a series of convenience store robberies in Binondo and Divisoria, Manila were arrested at a police checkpoint in Tondo, Manila yesterday.

Arrested were Orlando Macaspac, 24; Jojo Megica, 27; Ronie Mahawan, 24, all residents of Pritil, Tondo, Manila; Ponciano Pagaspay, 25, and Dante Flores, 24, both from Caloocan City.

The suspects were nabbed along Jose Abad Santos Avenue near P. Algue Street in Tondo at around 2:30 a.m. at a checkpoint manned by elements of Station 2.

Inspector Uldarico Mendoza said the five were about to pull off a heist at a 7-11 in the area. The suspects were found in possession of a .9 mm pistol and a caliber .38 revolver, fan knives and stolen license plates.

Police said charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions and concealing deadly weapons would be filed against the suspects, who are now locked up at the detention cell of Station 2. — Cecille Suerte Felipe