BEWARE of con-men who whose scheme is to drop coins to distract you while you are in a public vehicle or squeezed in a crowd, then one of them will nick your valuables.

The warning came from the Dagupan Police after arresting on December 21 two persons believed to be members of the so-called “Laglag-Barya” or “Ipit Gang”.

The gang is suspected to have pick-pocketed the money of one Eugenio Omolida, 61, a farmer from Barangay Sonquil, Sta. Barbara.

Through a follow up investigation by the police, two of the suspects were arrested and identified as Fidel Calvo Jr., 40, of Vigan, Ilocos Sur; and Edwin Brul, 55, of Urdaneta City. A third suspect was unidentified.

Based on the incident report, Omolida boarded a jeepney bound for Sta. Barbara after withdrawing money from a money transfer stall on A.B.Fernandez Avenue at 2:00 p.m. He was followed by the suspects, and two of them sandwiched Omolida inside the jeepney while the third sat across him.

While the one on his right was trying to steal his wallet, the other on the left surreptitiously dropped a coin to catch Ormolino’s attention.

As soon as the suspect on the right got the wallet from the victim’s pocket, he jumped from the moving jeepney, leaving behind his two companions.

This was when Omolino realized that he has lost his wallet.

Superintendent Romeo Caramat, chief of police of Dagupan City, said members of the gang are suspected to be actively operating in Dagupan to take advantage of the large crowd flocking for the Christmas season as well as for the celebration of the city fiesta.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments