Police nab 13 ‘Salisi gang’ members

Police arrested 13 persons suspected to be members of Salisi gang responsible for the several mall thefts in Cebu.

The suspects were arrested Monday night in the parking lot of APM Mall in barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

Police rushed to the area after receiving a report that a group of thieves had just struck the mall.

Senior Supt. Noli Romana, chief of the Cebu City police, said the group would usually strike when the mall is about to close.

Arrested were Glenn Husain,31; Lyngen Dela Cerna, 33; Antonio Espada, 54; Cheryl Serauz, 28; Joel Flores, 35; Jennelyn Mapas, 30, all residents of barangay Bato-Ermita, Cebu City.

Also arrested were Christine Caldet, 26; Aida Hernandez, 29; Jenelyn Acibo, 31; Leebert Macasero, 24; Jason Flores, 32; Roel Avila’ 32; and Marvin Camansi, 32, all residents of barangay Sambag 1, Cebu City.

The suspects refused to comment on their arrests.

Police said the suspects were arrested while about to leave aboard an L-300 van where various items were found.

The van with plate number YGT-400 is registered under the name of Exequel Calderon.

Romana said the group would usually rent a car.

Found in the van were cartons of vitamins, bottles of lotion and assorted jeans and T-shirts. The items were worth about P50,000, police said.

Police said the suspects were the same group that struck the La Nueva Pharmacy on April 24 where more than P200,000 worth of vitamins and medicines were taken.

The theft was captured by the establishment’s security cameras.

In the video, the suspects distracted some salesclerks and cashiers before placing several items in a bag.

Some of the suspects in the theft were charged before the Mandaue City Prosecutors’ Office but were able to post bail.

A mall in Lapu-Lapu City was also victimized by the group, police said./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON