Cops bust robbery gang targeting Malabon warehouses; 6 arrested

The Malabon police have arrested and charged with robbery the supposed leader and members of a notorious robbery group believed to be behind the series of break-ins that targeted warehouses in the city.

In a statement, Malabon City police chief Senior Supt. Severino Abad Jr. announced the arrest of Rodeo Lerio, 32, who has pending robbery cases in the city’s courts.

Five other members of Lerio’s “bolt cutter” robbery group were also arrested. They were identified as Mark Joseph Casila, Carlos Lopez, Errol de Villar, Carlo Tan and Jojie Tordesillas.

Lerio, Casila, Lopez and De Villar were apprehended on Oct. 14 after they robbed a warehouse on Gov. Pascual Avenue in Tinajeros, Malabon.

Police reports showed that the four resisted arrest and traded gunfire with responding lawmen. The four eventually surrendered after several minutes of negotiations.

Seized from the four were P30,000 worth of polypropylene plastic, which is used in furniture, medical supplies and containers.

Police also found a .38-cal. revolver, a .45-cal. pistol, two bolt-cutting devices, a steel saw, a crowbar and a passenger jeepney believed to be the group’s getaway vehicle.

Meanwhile, Tan and Tordesillas were arrested on Oct. 15 in a followup operation in Barangay (village) Longos, Malabon. Seized from them were two bladed weapons.

Abad said that with the arrest of Lerio and his cohorts, the robbery group had been neutralized. He also urged other traders in the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) area who were victimized by the gang to file complaints.