Laptop rob gang in Pasig collared

To bust a robbery syndicate operating at the Metro Walk Strip mall in Pasig City, elements of the Eastern Police District placed a laptop as bait and waited for their quarry to make their move.

After three hours of long wait, elements of the EPD’s Special Operations Group arrested Richard Mangunay, 20, and Jeffrey Martinez, 23, both of De la Cruz street, Barangay 130 in Pasay City, moments after they grabbed the bait – a gray ECS Elite Group Laptop worth P30,000.

EPD director Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz said he dispatched four of his men to the mall following reports of rampant robbery of laptop computers, especially during the wee hours of the morning victimizing tipsy clients.

De la Cruz said two SOG operatives headed by SPO1 Marie Per Bala pretended to be clients of a bar while two of their companions positioned themselves from a short distance.

“The two cops who posed as customers placed the laptop beside a chair while their two companions were closely watching them,” said De la Cruz.

After three hours, SOG chief Senior Inspector Conrado Quilala said three men sat beside the two cops’ table then discreetly took the laptop bait.

The two policemen who acted as lookout approached the suspects and arrested Mangunay and Martinez, who yielded without a fight. Their companion eluded arrest.

Police recovered the laptop worth P30, 000 from the suspects who are now detained at the EPD headquarters in Pasig City.