Robbery suspect nabbed after riding without helmet

A self-confessed member of a motorcycle-riding crime group involved in a series of night-time robberies in the cities of Manila and Pasay was arrested after being stopped at a police checkpoint for riding without a helmet.

The suspect, identified as Ian Christopher Lapuz, was arrested at a checkpoint of the Manila Police District Station 9 (Malate Police Station), according to a 24 Oras report by John Consulta on Tuesday.

The police recovered from Lapuz a .45-cal. handgun with bullets and a motorcycle, which was suspected to have been used during the robbery of a man who had just withdrawn money from an ATM in Manila on Jan. 25.

"Nag-review tayo ng mga CCTV recordings. Siya 'yung rider doon sa isang motorsiklo at na-identify na rin natin 'yung ibang kasamahan niya," said MPD director Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay.

(We reviewed the CCTV recordings. He was the rider in one of the motorcycles and we’ve also identified his accomplices)

Ibay said Lapuz was one of six suspects in the Jan. 25 incident, which authorities earlier said appeared to be connected to other similar crimes in the area.

Lapuz confessed to the crime, explaining that he only joined the robbery group to raise money for his pregnant wife.

"Nag-usap-usap, tara may aanuhin lang tayo, may pagkakaperahan daw po. Napasama na ako. Kung sino po ang madaanan, makita, kahit may kasama po. Sabi, ayan oh. Naispatan nila sir, nag-ATM. Napabalik na rin ako. Binigyan lang ako ng 4,500," Lapuz said.

(We talked about it. They said, 'Come on we're going to [rob someone], we're just going to make money.' Whoever we pass by or see, even if they have someone with them, we are going to target them. My colleagues spotted the victim at the ATM. I came back to the area. They only gave me 4,500 [pesos].)

"Buntis na rin po kasi ang asawa ko, manganganak na. Kabuwanan niya na po noon eh," he added.

(My wife is pregnant, too. She was due to birth that month.)

The other suspects remain at large.

"Tuloy-tuloy ang manhunt natin dito. Kung sakaling nabiktima kayo nitong grupo, magpunta lang po kayo sa amin para mafile-an natin ng complaint. 'Pag lumabas ang warrant, kahit saan sila magpunta, hahabulin natin," said the MPD Director.

(Our manhunt is ongoing. If you were a victim of this group, please come to us so we can file a complaint. Once the warrant is issued, no matter where they go, we'll chase them.)

The crime group was tagged in a string of night-time robberies, often targeting unsuspecting individuals and making their escape on motorcycles. They were suspected of riding around the Taft Avenue and Roxas Boulevard area in search of victims. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VDV, GMA Integrated News