Rob gang busted despite new modus operandi

TALK about criminals getting wilier.

The police on Tuesday afternoon busted a notorious robbery-holdup group preying on jeepney passengers by arresting five of its members, including a woman.

What set the Pikit (eyes closed) Gang apart from other groups was that it operated its own public utility jeepney (PUJ) where it carried out its illegal activities.

In addition, it used a new modus operandi. After robbing their victims in Balintawak, Quezon City, the gang members would order them to close their eyes as the jeep crossed into the boundary of Caloocan City.

Senior Superintendent Jude Santos, Caloocan police chief, said that this was done to confuse the investigation into the robbery since the policemen in both cities would have to determine who has jurisdiction over the case.

“Some of the victims would report the crime in Quezon City but the police would refer them back to us,” Santos explained.

According to the police official, Alexander Alvarez, Alvin Pozon, Renato de Guzman, Beth Blanco and Jose Lapuz were arrested after policemen on patrol recognized the PUJ operated by the gang.

Some of the gang’s victims earlier reported that they were robbed in a Divisoria-Monumento jeepney with plate number PVJ 940. A check with authorities showed that the PUJ has a valid franchise although the police were still trying to determine whether the franchise holder was still alive.

Santos said criminal charges would be filed against the five while the PUJ would be used as evidence against them.