Cops arrest 2 computer shop robbers

Police arrested yesterday two members of a robbery gang preying on computer shops patrons in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Central Market police station chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula identified the suspects as Jerry Buenviaje, 22, of Oroquieta street, Sta. Cruz, and Jayson Villamor, 27, of P. Guevarra street, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Sapitula said the arrested suspects are members of the dreaded Temple Street Terrain gang, allegedly responsible for robbing computer shops along Oroquieta and Blumentritt streets in Sta. Cruz.

The gang’s latest victim was the Street Stop Computer Shop at 2149 Oroquieta street in Sta. Cruz, where three of its patrons and the caretaker were held up on the night of Nov. 30.

An undetermined amount of cash, cellular phones and personal belongings were taken by the gang from their victims.

Sapitula said the gang attacks in the cover of the night, armed with guns and bladed weapons.

Follow-up operations conducted by SPO1 Orlando Sena and SPO1 Romeo Cayabyab and PO1 Reynaldo Mallari led to the arrest of the two suspects at their hideout.

Victims positively identified the two as the men who held them up while they were inside the shop.

Sapitula said a hot pursuit operation has been launched for the rest of the gang members headed by a certain "Edwin Igat."

Charges of robbery holdup were filed against the suspects. – Nestor Etolle