OLONGAPO CITY—Police arrested a woman accused of stealing jewels from victims duped into believing she was a faith healer.
Jonalyn De Leon, of the village of Sta. Rita, had asked two believers, Rachelle Anne Delos Reyes and Susan Lorenzo, to lend her gold earrings, necklaces and pendants to be blessed as this would give them protection, according to the police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) here.
The victims gave the jewels, worth P136,000, to De Leon, who did not return these. The believers reported it to police, who made the arrest during an entrapment operation.
Investigators said De Leon was head of a crime group that bore her name and was involved in cases of theft and swindling in the city.
The CIDG unit in the city said the group’s modus was to introduce its members as faith healers to victims by claiming healing powers derived from Sto. Nino and other religious icons.
De Leon is now in CIDG custody awaiting charges.