7 suspected shoplifting gang members caught

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) presented yesterday seven suspected shoplifters caught with a van full of stolen goods Thursday morning.

QCPD director Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula said the suspects admitted working as a group and sneaking into supermarkets in the metropolis and the Ilocos, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon regions.

The police identified the suspects as Josefa Barcenas, 29; Jay Martinez, 26; James Janito, 32; Ferdinand Lazarte, 41; Aladin Bacundo, 18; Alex Padilla, 22; and Marcelo Prospero, 41.

QCPD Station 10 police officers, headed by Superintendent Aspirinio Cabula, received a tip and arrested the suspects at the corner of Panay Avenue and Scout Albano at around 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

The police officers searched the suspects’ vehicle, a white Isuzu Crosswind (ZBF-354), and found cans of powdered milk, packs of detergent powder, loaves of bread and packs of cupcakes.

During tactical interrogation, the suspects admitted they had just stolen the items from the Crossings Supermarket in Barangay South Triangle before they were apprehended by the police.

The suspects also said they could fill the Isuzu Crosswind with stolen grocery items after a day’s operation, Gatdula told The STAR in an interview.

Gatdula said the suspects resell the stolen items to a Chinese trader based in Metro Manila. He added that a follow-up operation is being conducted to apprehend the Chinese businessman.