Cops Arrest Man for Robbery-Extortion & Possession of Firearm During Entrapment Operation
A 39-year-old man was arrested for robbery-extortion and illegal possession of a firearm during an entrapment operation in Caloocan City.
Earlier this week, the authorities arrested a man for robbery-extortion and illegal possession of a firearm. The arrest came after a 21-year-old woman reported being victimized by the suspect.
According to Northern Police District-District Special Operations Unit Lt. Col. Emmanuel Gomez, the man demanded P5,000 from the victim and threatened to spread sensitive videos of her online if she did not give him the money. Police later discovered that this was part of his scheme to target women through social media.
“Meron siyang apps na magri-ring yung cellphone niya pero wala naman talaga siyang kausap na kunwari binibigyan siya ng example ng kanyang boss na maghubad, ganito gawin, ganyan… then kinukuha niya yung cellphone at saka siya tumatakbo,” Gomez said.
The suspect reportedly pretended to be a woman online, luring victims who were in need of money. He would introduce himself as an agent and convince them to meet at a hotel. Once the victim arrived, he would reveal his true identity and begin taking advantage of her.
Police said the man even used apps to make it appear as though someone was giving instructions during the encounter. He would then grab the victim’s cellphone, record compromising videos, and run away.
The suspect later used these videos to blackmail the victim for money, threatening to post them if she refused.
Through the stolen phones, the suspect also discovered other potential victims. After nearly a month of surveillance, authorities were able to track him down in a small inn in Caloocan, where they also recovered a .38 caliber revolver loaded with bullets.
Investigators revealed that the man had previously been imprisoned for a different case. He has denied the accusations but is now in police custody. He faces charges of robbery-extortion and violation of the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.
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