QC cops bust gang targeting gas stations

Six members of a car-riding robbery gang preying on gasoline stations and convenience stores in Quezon City and Manila were arrested by elements of a Quezon City Police District (QCPD) mobile patrol the other night.

The suspects’ vehicle, which was intercepted at a checkpoint on Bonifacio Drive, yielded revolvers, knives and a wig, which they used in their criminal activities.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan Jr. said the arrest of the suspects was the result of an intensified anti-criminality campaign ordered by Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

Last week, QCPD bus marshals arrested in Cubao four men who were about to step out of a Fairview-bound bus after divesting passengers of their cash and valuables.

Radovan said the gas station robbers, on board a blue Nissan sedan with plate number TNE 844, were about to strike again in the area when they were spotted by elements of a police mobile patrol unit, headed by Superintendent Romeo Birog.

The suspects were scouting the area for their next target.

A mobile checkpoint was quickly set up, resulting in the interception of the vehicle.

Radovan said four suspects — Arnel Catubay, Maximo Dayto, Allan Muñoz and Ronald Altuna — were nabbed at the checkpoint. A follow-up operation carried out by QCPD and Manila Police District’s Theft and Robbery Section at the gang’s safehouse in Sta. Cruz, Manila resulted in the arrest of two more suspects, identified as Larry de Guzman and Edilberto Mañalac.

Radovan said an investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division, headed by Superintendent Procopio Lipana, revealed that the suspects were responsible for robberies at a Sea Oil gasoline station along Bonifacio Drive last June 16 and at the Mighty Mart convenience store along Retiro street in Sto. Domingo last July 17.

The same group has also been tagged in the robbery of an LBC branch on Bonifacio Drive last July 21.

Radovan said victims of the suspects have been trooping to QCPD headquarters at Camp Karingal to formally file their complaints.

The four suspects were charged with illegal possession of firearms before the city prosecutor’s office, which recommended a bail of P80,000 each.