Trader falls for robbery extortion
OPERATIVES of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) arrested a suspect for robbery extortion and usurpation of authority in an entrapment operation in Quezon City.
P/Maj. Don Don Llapitan, chief of CIDU, said the suspect, 36, a businessman and resident of Antipolo City, Rizal was arrested at 3:30 p.m., May 17, inside a fast food restaurant in Farmers Plaza, Cubao, QC.
Based on the initial investigation, a Toyota Hi-Ace van was impounded for allegedly operating without a valid franchise by operatives of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) at Bgy. San Martine De Porres, QC, on April 27, 2023.
However, later that evening, the owner of the vehicle received a call from a man identifying himself as an “employee of MMDA” under the Office of the General Manager, P/Col. Procopio Lipana (ret.)
The suspect demanded from the victim a P15,000 monthly payment in exchange for the release of the impounded van.
The victim agreed to meet up with the suspect and gave P7,500 cash for partial payment on April 30 and for the additional P7,500 at a fast food joint at Arayat St., Bgy. San Martin de Porres.
The victim sought the help of the CIDU and requested police assistance to arrest the suspect.
After preparing the necessary documents, the operatives together with personnel of the MMDA Intelligence and Investigation Office led by P/Col. Osmundo De Guzman (ret.) launched an entrapment operation that led to the capture of the suspect.
The suspect later admitted that he was not a “bona fide” member of the MMDA.
The said charges against the suspect were filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
QCPD Director P/BGen. Nicolas D. Torre III commended the CIDU for their swift action, which resulted in the arrest of the suspect. “Lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa biktima sa kanyang tiwala sa ating kapulisan at pagbibigay ng impormasyon o pag-report sa insidente na humantong sa pagkaaresto ng suspek.”
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa biktima na nagsumbong tungkol sa gawain ng suspek dahilan para mabigyan ng agarang aksyon at matuldukan ang illegal na gawain ng suspek. Ang pangongotong o extortion po ay isang uri ng krimen at hindi po natin ito kailanman itotolerate,” said by NCRPO Director P/MGen. Edgar Alan Okubo.
