Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Cops vow to crack down on robbery groups in city
By Roberto L. Bacasong
THE Bacolod City Police Office, through Senior Supt. Mario Avenido, city police director, vowed to neutralize robbery gangs in the city, which victimize mostly business establishments.
Avenido said the arrest of members of the Ian Dionson robbery gang only shows that local policemen are not sleeping on their campaign against all forms of criminalities.
This came after Avenido, together with top-ranking police officers Tuesday, presented before the media the arrested members of Ian Dionson robbery gang namely Ian Dionson, 22, of Barangay Taculing, who was arrested Sunday around 4:30 a.m. at Gonzaga Compound, Villa San Sebastian, Lopez Jaena St., Barangay 31 in a car chase operation.
Dionson's companions, Ruel Lavega, alias "Ate", 24, of Purok Pag-asa, Barangay 17, was also collared Friday 6:30 a.m. in his residence.
Avenido disclosed that Lavega has a pending warrant of arrest with criminal case number 03-25365 for the charges of theft, dated Sept. 23, 2003 and signed by Judge George Patriarca of the Regional Trial Court Branch 46.
Another suspect, a 10-year-old boy whose name and address are being withheld by the police, was also arrested in his residence and will be presented in court.
Avenido said the boy was being used by the suspects as their lookout every time they conduct their illegal operation.
Harry Mahinay, alias Harry Bautista, 18, of Bulata, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, also one of the members of Ian Dionson robbery gang, was arrested last Sept. 29, 2003 after staging a robbery at Gong Joo Merchandising in Gatuslao St., Bacolod.
Mahinay is now detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), while Dionson and Lavega are presently detained at the lock-up cell of Police Station 1.
Avenido said the Ian Dionson gang is composed of four to six members.
Chief Insp. Roderick Alba, Police Station 1 commander, said the arrest of the suspects was effected by virtue of a warrant of arrest approved by Judge Demosthenes Magallanes for robbery.
The business establishments in the city victimized by the Ian Dionson gang include the LBC Office in Las Rocas Bldg., Gatuslao St., Gong Joo Merchandising in Gatuslao St., Commercial Credit Corporation at Nueva-Locsin Streets, Star Wings Travel at Tanpinco Bldg., 6th St., and Felicity Marketing along Burgos St.
The presentation of the suspects Tuesday was also witnessed by Lendro Lozada, collector of JS Finance Corporation, and Eusebio Ejusa, customer assistance of LBC.
Police recoveries include a hot and cold water dispenser, a VHS unit, four pieces butane burner stove, five pieces burner accessories, two bags, four pieces bed sheets, a unit of Adler typewriter, a unit of Sharp Photo Copier machine, a unit of Panasonic VHS player, a unit of singer VCD player and a unit of Sony radio cassette.
Mayor Luzviminda Valdez, on the other hand, said personnel of Police Station 1 and the Intelligence Division will be given an Extra Mile Award. Valdez commended policemen for their exemplary accomplishments.
She added that in the first quarter, the police office ranked seventh but this went up to No. 4 this month in the Best of the Best in the region.
Valdez also appealed to the community to coordinate with the local police to prevent occurrence of crimes.
(May 4, 2004 issue)
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