SM shoplift gang busted

Agents of the Northern Police District intelligence unit arrested the alleged leader of a big-time shopliflting gang operating at SM shopping malls in Metro Manila and nearby provinces in an operation Thursday night in Malabon City.

Suspect Marlon Prudencio, 19, of 318-I, Daang-Bakal street, Barangay Tenejeros, Malabon City, was nabbed at around 7:30 p.m. with some P10,000 worth of loot from SM Mall branch in Pampanga.

The stolen goods, mostly chocolates, were confirmed as items sold at SM by Edgardo Miranda, customer relations service manager.

Chief Inspector Sotero Ramos Jr., NPD intelligence unit chief, tagged Prudencio as the alleged leader of "SM Gang," a seven-man shoplifting group operating at the SM malls.

The group’s modus operandi is to hide in their pockets SM plastic bags with old receipts.

Once inside, the group passed themselves off as legitimate shoppers using the bags to steal various items.

"We always do it in groups of seven. While one pretends to be a shopper, the others serve as shield," Prudencio admitted.

He named his group’s contacts as certain Ramirez at SM West, Manila; Lucero, SM Fairview; Requeting, SM South Mall; Pacal, SM Sta. Mesa; Noel, SM Manila; Marissa, SM Megamall; and one Bundoc at SM Pampanga.

He added that each member steals a total of P10,000 to P20,000 everytime they operate. – Pete Laude