Leader of big-time shoplift gang arrested

Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Northern Field Office arrested over the weekend the alleged leader of a big-time shoplifting gang operating in Metro Manila and nearby provinces together with his driver in Malabon City.

Superintendent Gene Ines Abrajano, CIDG-NFO chief, identified the suspects as Ernesto Fernandez and Nestor Caspillo, both of Hernandez st., Barangay Catmon, Malabon City.

Abrajano tagged Fernandez, 35, as the alleged leader of the "Fernandez Gang," engaged in big-time shoplifting operating in the metropolis and nearby cities with at least 15 members.

Caspillo, 29, the group’s alleged driver, has a standing warrant of arrest issued by Judge Paterno Tac-an of Batangas City Regional Trial Court, Branch 84, for the crime of theft.

The suspects’ arrest was only accidental after the Civilian Volunteers Against Crime (CVAC), with the assistance of the CIDG-NFO agents, arrested them for creating trouble in their area.

Abrajano said that a confrontation occurred at about 7 p.m. between Fernandez and Caspillo along Hernandez street in Barangay Catmon after Fernandez reportedly failed to give the latter’s share in the proceeds of their loot.

Abrajano added that the group’s modus operandi is to let their female members enter a supermarket passing themselves as pregnant women but while inside they would fill their false bulging bellies with grocery items while their male companions would wait for them at the carpark.

When caught by security guards, the group would immediately negotiate and pay for the stolen items to avoid trouble.

Fernandez’s gang is reportedly using a white Kia Ceres in their operations and sold their stolen items to a Chinese trader in Quiapo, Manila identified only as a certain Chito.

Among the group’s latest victims were SM Supermarket in Sta. Mesa Manila, Uniwide Supermarket in Las Piñas City and Walter Supermart in Dasmariñas, Cavite during a two-day operations last Jan. 9 and 10, Abrajano said.

Interviewed in their cell, Fernandez, a part time construction worker, denied being the leader of a shoplifting gang but admitted to be engaged in petty shoplifting.

"Sa hirap kasi ng buhay kaya napipilitan akong mang-umit (It’s the economic hardship that forces me to shoplift)," he said.