One of Metro’s most wanted suspects caught

A suspected rob gang member, tagged by authorities as one of its most target criminals in Metro Manila, was arrested by the Manila police in Cainta, Rizal Friday.

Jeepney driver Ronald Bernal, alias Gerald Santos and Gerry de Vera, 28, was identified by witnesses as one of several armed men who robbed a bank client of P1.6 million in Malate, Manila last June 30 and the heist of more than P800,000 at a company in Sta. Cruz Manila last July 22.

Bernal was tagged as a member of the “Murphy” robbery gang led by a certain Cervantes – reportedly a Pasig police officer – according to Chief Inspector Benigno Macalindong, chief of the Manila Police District’s theft and robbery section.

The group has reportedly established a hideout in Cainta, Rizal and has been responsible for a series of heists in Metro Manila, Macalindong added.

Bernal was initially identified by witnesses through a police rogue’s gallery of wanted persons and at a police lineup upon his arrest.

Macalindong said Bernal was one of three men riding on a motorcycle who robbed businesswoman Vicky Lopez of P1.6 million after she had withdrawn the money from a bank in Harrison Plaza. Lopez and her errand boy were also shot by suspects, but only the woman sustained injury.

Bernal was also one of six armed men who robbed EPS Enterprises, a company dealing in fire extinguishers, of P890,000 worth of cash and valuables.

Together with Inspector Alfredo Salazar and SPO4 Vivencio Catapang, Macalindong conducted a daily surveillance of the gang’s suspected hideout in Cainta. Bernal reportedly tried to run away when he sensed the presence of lawmen while fixing his motorcycle. He was subsequently collared after a brief chase.

At the police headquarters, a soldier-brother and policeman-uncle, accompanied by a lawyer, tried to intervene in Bernal’s arrest.

Bernal is also facing robbery charges before Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98.