QCPD warns vs thieves in 'hip-hop' clothes

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) told supermarket and grocery owners yesterday to keep a close eye on customers wearing “hip-hop” or baggy clothes, saying they could be thieves who would hide stolen grocery items in their clothes.

QCPD Station 8 chief Superintendent Oscar Palisoc issued the warning after they arrested Ronald Ferrer, whom he described as a jobless man in hip-hop attire, for allegedly stealing P1,150 worth of Cadbury dairy milk chocolate bars with roasted almonds from a branch of a popular supermarket chain in Barangay Bagumbayan.

Palisoc said Ferrer was caught trying to hide the stolen items in his loose pants, which had big pockets, and camouflage the bulk with his loose shirt.

Palisoc said Ferrer, who has been charged with theft, now needs to post P10,000 bail. He added that they believe the suspect belongs to a group of seasoned thieves and police expect his alleged cohorts to bail him out today. 

“They wear loose pants with big pockets inside along with loose and long shirts. They work in rotations, they have spotters and they have vehicles,” Palisoc told The STAR. “If an operation is successful, they proceed to another target. They also have buyers of the items they steal.”

Palisoc said his men regularly patrol areas in Cubao where a number supermarkets and grocery stores are located. – Michael Punongbayan