'Boltcutter Gang' nabbed while transporting stolen computers in Sta. Cruz

MANILA, Philippines - Five suspected members of the “Boltcutter Gang” were caught by the police while allegedly in the act of transporting stolen computer units early morning yesterday in Sta. Cruz, Manila. The group has been under surveillance for more than two weeks following intelligence reports that its members have been clandestinely disposing off its loot through its fences in Manila, according to Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr. who heads the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the Manila Police District.

The gang of robbers reportedly robs computer shops in Metro Manila and nearby provinces using a boltcutter to destroy the padlocks of their target establishments.

Arevalo has deployed several teams of policemen headed by SPO4 Gener Presnedi in several areas in Manila where the gang is reportedly sighted dropping off its loot for delivery to their fences.

At around 7:30 a.m. yesterday, Presnedi and his men observed a group of men loading off several computer units from a van into a parked motorized tricycle on a dimly lit portion of a gasoline station near a shopping mall along Tayuman street. The men tried to scamper away when the cops closed in, but were stopped on their tracks by the quick policemen. The men failed to show documents for the computer units, hence their arrest.

Arevalo identified the suspects as Ronaldo Carpio, alias Tukmol, 40, the alleged leader; Antonio Geronimo, 51, the driver of the van; Russel Guzman, 38; Rico Balansat, the tricycle driver; and his backrider Dennis Eugenio, 27. Recovered from the suspects were seven computer processing units (CPUs), seven television monitors, a boltcutter, a crowbar and several pieces of improvised metal bars used to open padlocks.

During interrogation, the suspects admitted stealing the computer sets from Iloilo province, but kept mum on the identity of their fence. Carpio said they transferred their operation in the provinces after they felt the heat of the police in the metropolis. However, he said they sell their loot to their fence in Manila.

Arevalo said the gang’s vehicle, a green Nissan van (USY-823), was verified to be using stolen license plates.