Suspect in store robberies, motorcycle thefts nabbed in Lipa City

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – A man allegedly involved in a series of convenience store robberies and motorcycle thefts in Laguna and Batangas has been arrested by operatives of the CALABARZON Police Regional Intelligence Division.

The suspect, identified only by the alias “Gie,” was arrested in a buy-bust operation along the Lipa-Padre Garcia Bypass Road in Purok 7, Barangay San Celestino, Lipa City, Batangas.

Police said the suspect allegedly sold unlicensed firearms when he failed to carry out robberies or steal motorcycles.

According to CALABARZON Police Regional Director PBGen. Dominic Baccay, the suspect was also allegedly linked to gun-for-hire activities and contract killings.

“Kasama rin ’yan doon sa mga gun-for-hire or contact killer or sa contract killing. Actually, dalawa ’yan sila magkaangkas sa motorsiklo. Medyo sinuwerte at nakatakas lang ’yung isa, pero ’yung isa ay pinaghahanap pa ng ating mga operatiba,” Baccay said.

Authorities recovered a caliber .45 pistol, its magazines, and a motorcycle license plate during the operation.

PCOL Vicente Cabatingan, chief of the CALABARZON Police Regional Intelligence Division, said the operation was launched after authorities received information from the community that the suspect was willing to sell a firearm.

“Nakuha rin ’yan dahil nga sa pakikipagtulungan ng community. Nagbebenta rin siya ng baril, kaya doon natin siya kinuha. Nagkaroon tayo ng information na willing siyang magbenta ng baril, kaya pinasukan natin,” Cabatingan said.

Police later found that the suspect had an outstanding warrant of arrest for lascivious conduct, which authorities served while he was in custody.

The suspect is ranked No. 3 on the most wanted persons list of the Muntinlupa City Police.