Police nab suspected swindler

CEBU, Philippines - Operatives of the Investigative and Detective Management Bureau (IDMB) nabbed yesterday noon the swindler who took P122,000 from a money changer shop in Mandaue City Thursday afternoon .

IDMB head, Chief Insp. Michael Bastes said a staff of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel informed them about the presence of suspect Joseph Llanes Cua, 25, of Davao del Sur.

The informant saw Cua’s photos in the newspaper.

Cua, identified himself as ”Father Glen” when he duped Anthony Lauron, the teller of VHEZ Money Changer on Colonnade Mall in Mandaue city.

Last Thursday,  he called up the owner of VHEZ and told him that he wanted to change his $3,000 and asked the owner to deliver the money to the National Shrine of St. Joseph.

When Lauron handed the P122,000 to the suspect, he was told to wait as he will get the dollars.

However, the suspect did not come back that prompted Lauron to seek police assistance and a hot pursuit operation was immediately conducted.

Bastes said they learned that the suspect has been staying in Waterfront Hotel for three months now and he drives an Innova car that he rented from Safe Ride Car Rental.

They conducted a surveillance operation last Sunday and in order not to create a scene in the hotel, the police waited for Cua to leave the establishment.

The informant told the police yesterday that Cua was leaving his room to meet a friend at a mall.

While in his rented Innova, the police tailed him.

However, he sensed that he was being followed so he tried to divert from his route.

Cua was cornered on Juan Luna Street in barangay Mabolo and was subsequently arrested.

But the police failed to recover the money from the money changer as Cua allegedly bought expensive things and clothes.

The hotel staff also said Cua owes them P100,000 for his stay.

At the IDMB office, Lauron positively identified him.  Seven other victims also came and identified Cua.

Among his victims were two money changers , Allure Hotel in Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City and Junrex Cellshop .

Police were able to secure a photo of the suspect because he also victimized two Koreans at the Basilica del Sto .Nino last year.

He allegedly approached the Koreans that he will be the one to take their photo.  Without his knowledge, one of the Koreans took a photo of him using his cellular phone.

Cua allegedly did not return the camera of the Koreans although he denied this yesterday.

The police said the suspect’s modus operandi is to introduce himself using prominent family names of the place that he is visiting.

In fact, in Mandaue City last week, aside from introducing himself as Father Glen, he also used the name Dr. Cortes.

Bastes said the suspect would change his voice over the phone to make it sound like that of an old woman and would use the names Dra. Radaza, Dra. Rama and Dra. Osmena.

Then, in meeting his victims, he would introduce himself Atty. Cortes, Atty. Rama or Atty. Osmena.

Cua admitted that he duped the money changer and even blamed the victim for dealing with a stranger.

Cua is a former student of the Ateneo De Davao University (ADU) taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA).

The police are checking if Cua has cohorts.

Mandaue City Police Office Director Senior Supt. Petronelli Baldebrin said they will coordinate with Davao City police and the National Bureau of Investigation to check if Cua has an existing warrant of arrest.

Baldebrin also advised business establishments not to transact business over the phone, especially if they do not know the persons doing the transaction.

Aside from swindling, a case of possession of illegal drugs was also filed against Cua after the police found a small pack of shabu that he allegedly kept in the jacket of his driver’s license.

Meanwhile, Mayor Mike Rama is calling on criminals to pray at the Basilica de Sto. Niño and reform or suspend their criminal activities during the Sinulog.

“Hangyo sa mga maldito, snatcher, burukinto, palihug og moabot mo dinhi, adto mo suroy sa Santo Nino. Panagkot mo, pangadye mo nga mausab mo aron inig uli ninyo, mamaayo mo. Apan kun di gyud mahimo, palihog lang e-suspend lang usa ang inyong pagk- kawatan, pagka burikinto og pagka maldito”, Rama said

Rama is expecting more people to attend the Sinulog this year. — with Julit C. Jainar USJ-R Masscom Intern/MBG (FREEMAN)