MPD busts mall theft gang

MANILA, Philippines - Manila policemen busted yesterday what they described as a well-entrenched syndicate of shoplifters with the arrest of its nine members, including the alleged leader, while the suspects were about to enter a mall in Ermita.

Acting on a tip from an informant, operatives of the Theft and Robbery Section of the Manila Police District (MPD) led by Chief Inspector Edgar Carpio posted themselves yesterday morning outside the mall.

When a red Ford Fiera arrived, police accosted and questioned its nine passengers, including a woman. Each of them was carrying large bags containing empty shopping bags and sacks, bolstering the police’s information that these persons were up to something illegal.

Under tactical interrogation, the group admitted that they are shoplifters. The group’s leader, Alfred Tingson, 34, said they steal grocery items, mostly expensive canned milk formula from the malls’ grocery sections.

The syndicate operates in groups to cover up the designated thief and hide their loot between their legs in their loose trousers. They congregate in eateries in the malls where they place the loot in shopping bags to avoid detection by security guards.

Tingson, who has been with the syndicate for the past two years, said they earn at least P15,000 for every operation. They sell their loot to a certain “Ate Celia,” Tingson said.

After paying the driver of the vehicle P1,700 and deducting their food expenses, the syndicate divides the loot evenly among the members.

Tingson said he recruits the syndicate members from Iloilo and pays for their travel expenses and board and lodging, which will be deducted from their earnings. He also trains the members and briefs them on the locations of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras inside the malls to avoid detection.

Carpio identified the other suspects as Emerson Limqueco, 29, the driver of the group; Nick Falcon, 42; Nelson Florentino, 27; Al Padilla, 24; Jolino Pabera, 22; Allan Barcelo, 19; Jeffrey Cuico, 34; and Richelin Padilla, 27.

Carpio said he will invite malls’ security officers to a confrontation with the suspects to determine if they are on the watch list. He will also request to view security camera footage to see if the suspects were doing their illegal activities.   

Carpio said initial charges of vagrancy will be filed against the suspects, who are being held at the MPD detention facility.