3 members of ‘organized’ shoplift group arrested
Three members of a supposed organized shoplifting group were arrested following their “shopping-without-paying” spree at SM City Mall in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.
The suspects identified themselves as Antonio Aurin, Jovelyn Ramos, and Shelma Ricaforte of Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City.
But police are yet to confirm if the suspects really gave their names and their place of residence correctly.
According to Mandurriao Police Station deputy chief Insp. Noel Rojo, the suspects carted more than P30,000 worth of branded jeans, shirts, bags, and office and school supplies from the mall’s department store.
Based on investigation, the group is composed of not less than seven members.
Rojo revealed that the group’s members were differently tasked when conducting their shoplifting binge.
Someone took charge in cutting the chain of the jeans hanged on display.
Another person will get the loot and cart it outside the store premises.
“If the store’s detective will notice their modus operandi, they would make several passes. Just for some simple corner cuts, they would be out of your sight,” Rojo noted.
Normally, the store’s detective would go after the person who cut the chain but it would turn negative once they will be frisked because somebody else got the merchandize, Rojo added.
Prior to their arrest, Rojo said that that surveillance cameras caught the lone man in the group of arrested persons who was doing his theft stuff.
“However, they could not be arrested right away unless they brought out the things out of the department store without paying for it,” he added.
It was theorized that the group arrived last Sunday from another undisclosed city, where they allegedly did another shoplifting racket.
The group’s modus operandi included going out of their area of operation once their operations became well-known to mall managements and police authorities.
“They are very, very organized. We are expecting that a legal counsel would come to their rescue once we file the charges against them,” Rojo said.
Unfortunately, the police officer said that a case for theft could only be filed against the suspects.
Meanwhile, Aurin denied that he is part of an organized shoplifting group.
He claimed that someone, whom he did not name, encouraged him to go with them.
“Ang nangyari po na kami ang pinaghinalaan na kumuha ng gamit, iba ‘yung kumuha at pinaglalagay lang sa amin,” he justified.
Despite their justifications and alibis, a criminal charge would still be filed against the suspects who are presently detained at the lock-up cell of Iloilo City Police Station 5.
