Suspected gang leader linked to 18 robberies nabbed

MANILA, Philippines—The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police arrested over the weekend the suspected leader of a robbery gang responsible for 18 robberies in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Arnulfo Tolin was tracked down Friday in Malolos, Bulacan province by a CIDG team who served a warrant for his arrest on charges of illegal possession of explosives and attempted robbery with homicide.

CIDG chief Director Benjamin Magalong said the suspect was believed to be leader of the Tolin robbery gang which operates in Metro Manila and in the Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Bicol regions.

Two other suspected gang members were arrested earlier in Iloilo province and northern Mindanao.

The PNP has linked the Tolin group to least 18 robbery and car theft incidents, making it one of the 10 most wanted gangs in Metro Manila.

Tolin, listed as one of the CIDG’s Top 5 targets under Special Task Group Pivot, was arrested around 6:30 a.m. on Friday in Barangay Matimbo in Malolos.

The CIDG and the Iloilo provincial police earlier arrested another alleged gang member, Melchor Sabando, in Bolocawe, Carles, Iloilo, on Thursday. A follow-up operation led by Supt. Marlon Tayaba of the CIDG’s Major Crimes Investigation Unit led to Tolin’s arrest the following day.

A third suspect identified as Frank Ombid, a resident of Barangay Buenasuerte, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, was arrested Sunday for attempted highway robbery with homicide.