Alleged rob gang financier caught

MANILA, Philippines - A woman tagged as the financier of a robbery gang noted for hogtying its victims was arrested in a raid by police operatives Wednesday in Caloocan City.

Alice Carriedo of Espiritu Compound in Barangay 81, Zone 8 along MacArthur Highway was arrested at her house on the strength of a search warrant issued by First Vice-Executive Judge Cielito Mindaro-Grulla of the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 29.

Also seized from Carriedo’s house were items identified on site as belonging to the robbery group’s victims.

The San Juan police, which coordinated with Caloocan police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Wilson Santos, said Carriedo, alias “Mommy,” was the alleged financier of the Samonte robbery group.

San Juan police chief Senior Superintendent Procopio Lipana said the raid was prompted by a complaint lodged by robbery victims Maravilla Geslani and Natalie Lao, both of San Juan City.

Lipana said the group broke into the victims’ house on Benitez street in Barangay Pasadena, San Juan City, hogtied them and carted away P3 million worth of cash, jewelry and other valuables.

The San Juan police arrested alleged gang members Ariel Samonte, Edwin Ruperto and Dennis Naldo four days after they allegedly robbed Geslani’s house.

He said he applied for a search warrant amid reports that the loot from Geslani’s house was sold to Carriedo.

Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele, director of the Eastern Police District (EPD), said Carriedo denied the charges but Lipana recovered Geslani’s passport, plane ticket and blank checks in Carriedo’s possession.

Also recovered were a 9mm automatic pistol and two loaded magazines, a .22 caliber rifle, two .38 caliber revolvers, a laptop, and a backpack containing nylon rope and cotton.

Lipana ordered the filing of four counts of illegal possession of firearms and violation of the anti-fencing law against Carriedo, who is being held at the San Juan police detention center.