Alleged gang leader robs cop 2 hours after escaping police raid

MANILA, Philippines - Two hours after policemen failed to arrest him, a suspected robbery group leader figured in a heist and took more than P600,000 worth of jewelry in Quezon City on Tuesday afternoon.

Inspector Alan dela Cruz, chief of the theft and robbery section of the Quezon City Police District-Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (QCPD-CIDU), said Senior Police Officer 4 Mario Jamero identified suspect rob gang leader Jonathan Cuya as one of the two suspects who robbed him at around 5:30 p.m. in Project 6.

Jamero, who owns a truck hauling business and is assigned to the Police Security and Protection Group, said the suspects took his Rolex watch worth P500,000, two gold rings worth P50,000, a gold necklace worth P35,000, and a gold bracelet worth P35,000.

Jamero said that he went to Mindanao Avenue with his wife aboard his Ford Everest to come to the aid of his driver, who reported that the bumper of the truck he was driving fell off.

While Jamero was helping load the detached truck bumper into his Everest, two suspects aboard a motorcycle park behind the truck.

Jamero was surprised when the two suspects appeared behind him and pointed .45 caliber pistols at him.

At gunpoint, the suspects started taking the jewellery that he was wearing then quickly fled the area aboard the same motorcycle.

Cuya is tagged in a number of robberies in Metro Manila, including one involving a general of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Failed arrest

QCPD-CIDU head Chief Inspector Rodelio Marcelo said Cuya was able to jump out of the window of their alleged safe house when policemen tried to serve an arrest warrant against him at around 3:30 p.m. in Barangay Balingasa.

Marcelo said Cuya escaped with an alleged cohort, identified as Jaime Barcelon, 36, who was later arrested by police officers. Recovered from him was a hand grenade and a sachet of suspected shabu.

Also arrested in the operation were Bhal Katian, 45; Martin Ivan Diaz, 23; Alvin Alcantara, 31; and Elmer Barcelon, 34.

Among those recovered from the suspects were a homemade shotgun, a samurai, a caliber .22 revolver, a pistol replica, a homemade revolver, and several ammunition and cellphones.

Pursuing policemen failed to arrest Cuya.

Notorious

The suspect is tagged in a number of robberies in Metro Manila, including one involving Bureau of Fire Protection deputy chief for administration Chief Superintendent Samuel Perez.

Cuya had been arrested in June for other heists, but was reportedly freed after posting bail.

Records show that he has a number of cases filed in several Quezon City courts. He is the supposed leader of the group that robbed Edward Choy’s house on Hemady Street in Barangay Mariana on May 16. Choy was killed during the robbery.

QCPD director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano earlier said that Cuya’s group is also involved in the June 11 robbery in front of a tire shop along Roosevelt Avenue in Barangay Paraiso and an April 12 break-in at a house on Scout Lazcano street, and a robbery house on Bagong Buhay street in Barangay Sto. Niño.