Leyte police file charges vs 4 Salisi Gang members

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PALO, Leyte—Four members of a Salisi Gang from Cebu City are now facing theft charges for allegedly stealing a cellular phone and black wallet owned by a customer inside a department store on Salazar Street, Palo town, Leyte on Thursday afternoon.

Charged were Ma. Abegail dela Rosa, 32, resident of Barangay Labangon in Cebu City; Josephine Torres, 36; and Ronniel Torres, 20, both of Barangay Mambaling in Cebu City; and Gertrudes Mantilla, 57, resident of Barangay Bangbang in Cordova town, Cebu.

Chief Insp. Bella Rentuaya, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Eastern Visayas based in Palo, said the four were arrested about 4 p. m. on Thursday after the victim, Lalaine Malinao, 24, a resident of  Barangay Laray in Javier town, sought help after the suspects allegedly took her iPhone 6 and wallet containing P2,000.

The victim was going over the items at the women’s section of Superstar Department Store when she saw Dela Rosa took her phone and wallet while the suspect’s companions were trying to distract her.

Malinao then created a scene to attract the attention of the security guards of the department store who immediately responded to the commotion.

The store management called for police assistance and apprehended the four suspects. Recovered from their possession were the victim’s belongings, including the black wallet with the money intact. The police, however, failed to find the phone.

With the onset of Christmas season, the police warned shoppers to be extra vigilant in order not to be victimized by syndicates. /jpv