A NOTORIOUS member of Sumalinog Swindling/Robbery Group was arrested on Monday, September 23, while two other cohorts managed to escape during an entrapment operation for selling fake gold bars at Km 77, Barangay Tubod, Bansalan, Davao del Sur.
The arrested suspect was identified as Ritchel Bacea Adoptante, 38, single, a resident of Barangay Coronon, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, while the two others were identified as Darwin Sumalinog alias "Awing," the group's leader, and Randy Sumalinog.
The Sumalinogs eluded arrest.
The operation was conducted around 3:10 p.m. Monday, September 23. It was launched by Bansalan Municipal Police Station together with Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Davao del Sur.
The suspects were caught in the act of selling fake gold bars to police operatives.
During the operation, the two other swindlers who were both armed with caliber .38 revolver figured in a brief firefight with operating troops as they managed to escape by crossing the river.
Recovered from Adoptante were one piece of cut fake gold bar, seven fake gold bars, three black fake gold bars, one P1,000 bill used as marked money, and one caliber .38 revolver with five live ammunition.
Police said the group has been operating in Davao del Sur, deceiving people using fake gold bars before robbing their victims.
The suspect is currently detained at Bansalan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. Documents are being prepared for filing against the suspects for violations of swindling and illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions against the suspects.