9 Alleged Metro Manila Shoplifters Nabbed in Cebu City
CEBU CITY, Philippines (AP) — Nine suspected members of a Metro Manila-based shoplifting syndicate were arrested in Cebu City following a series of operations triggered by a theft incident at a local mall, police said Thursday.
The suspects, reportedly affiliated with the so-called “Lavistre group,” were apprehended after one member was caught stealing branded clothing from a mall in Barangay Mambaling on Wednesday, July 9.
Angelica Capales, 35, a resident of Quezon City, was initially arrested by mall security after she was found in possession of several branded items that had not passed through the cashier. Capales was turned over to the Mambaling Police Station, where she later admitted she was part of a larger group from Metro Manila and revealed their whereabouts.
Acting on her statements, operatives from the City Investigation and Detection Unit, led by Police Major Kenneth Paul Albotra, launched a follow-up operation that led to the arrest of eight more suspects.
Those arrested were identified as Marilyn Traspaderme Lavistre, 37; Liza Lavistre, 38; Nekia Lavistre Francisco, 20; and Mark Talinio Castillo, 40 — all from Quezon City. Also apprehended were Jason Pia Lozada, 44, of Sogod, Southern Leyte; Maricel Cruz Corre, 38, of Baesa, Caloocan City; Geralyn Ortea Perje, 39, of Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City; and Charneth Corpuz, 18, of Sampaloc, Manila.
Recovered from the suspects were various high-end clothing items estimated to be worth around P100,000.
Police Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, deputy city director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said they had received intelligence as early as Monday, July 7, that a group of professional shoplifters from outside Cebu had arrived in the city.
The group had reportedly operated in other cities, including Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo, targeting malls with high-value merchandise.
“They have operated in Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo, targeting large malls that carry branded apparel,” Macatangay said.
According to police, the group sends stolen goods to their contacts in Metro Manila via parcels. The items are then sold at about half the original retail price. The proceeds are allegedly used to fund the group’s stay in various cities during their theft operations.
Investigators also said the group had rented an apartment in Cebu where they stored the stolen merchandise. Police are now tracking their local contacts, who are believed to be facilitating the shipment and resale of the stolen goods.
A mall security guard involved in the initial arrest revealed that the suspects employed methods to avoid detection by store alarm systems. The security tags on stolen shirts were allegedly covered with other garments to muffle the sensors at mall exits.
The group’s activities unraveled after a female suspect was spotted acting suspiciously. When she tucked a shirt into her waistband, mall security intervened and detained her on the spot.
The suspects have declined to give any statements to authorities.
Police said further investigations and follow-up operations are underway.
