MANILA, Philippines — Ten alleged swindlers were arrested Thursday afternoon after they were caught about to victimize an elderly woman at an upscale mall in Barangay Poblacion, Makati City, an official said yesterday.
Senior Superintendent Rogelio Simon, city police chief, said charges are being prepared against Angelita Ditos, 52; Mabelle Lopez, 42; Elenita Alba, 58; Analyn Perez, 43; Marie Cablo, 37; Linda Marquez, 44; Adelmo Ranas, 58; Ramon Bertuldo, 51; Jerry Apao, 59; and Edgar Yabut, 60.
Police recovered P250,000 in peso and dollar bills, jewelry, seven cell phones and different brands of wallets and bags from the suspects.
Simon said police also seized an Isuzu Trooper (XBP-109) and a Toyota Revo (WLH-369) from the suspects. He said the suspects used the vehicles to allay the suspicions of their victims.
The suspects are reported to be known con artists who operate in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, he added.
Simon said the mall security guard sought police assistance when he noticed that the suspects were targeting Puratoryo Catalina, 70.
The suspects’ movements were caught by the mall’s surveillance cameras, he said.