Binondo theft gang leader nabbed

MANILA, Philippines - Police nabbed yesterday the alleged leader of a gang of thieves as he was waiting for his members at the corner of Soler street and C.M. Recto Avenue in Binondo, Manila.

Enrico Peña, a self-confessed Bahala Na Gang member, did not resist when police invited him for questioning. Peña has been on the police’s wanted list after he and his gang were caught on video stealing from an educational supply store in Binondo.

Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut presented Peña before the sales staff of Poc Bon store. They identified him as among the group of “customers” who allegedly stole a roll of special printing paper worth P27,000 last Tuesday.

Store owner Susan Lim said she vividly remembers Peña among a group of at least seven persons who distracted her by asking several questions.

Peña identified his cohorts as Janet, Kisay, Arnel, Elvie, Tonet and Melga but failed to lead police to them. “We only meet along Zaragosa street in Tondo to plan our next target. We do not personally know each other, but we meet again at the same spot to divide our loot for the day,” he told investigators.

Peña, dubbed by police as the “Terror of 168 Mall,” used to operate in the mall before he was arrested last April. He was able to post bail and shifted his operation to crowded stores patronized by Chinese residents in Binondo. – Nestor Etolle