Notorious Robbery Suspect Nabbed in Drug Bust

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — A notorious robbery suspect was arrested on Saturday night, March 8, during a buy-bust operation conducted by the Roxas City Police in Barangay Banica.

The suspect was identified as Benjie Mark Oropel, alias “Tangkad,” 34, a construction worker and resident of New Road, Barangay Banica.

PLTCOL Lumyaen Lidawan, Roxas police chief, said Oropel was recently tagged as the suspect in the theft of a teacher’s laptop at Barangay Banica Elementary School.

Oropel is also classified as a street-level individual (SLI) in the illegal drug trade.

Authorities recovered four plastic sachets of suspected shabu, a .38-caliber revolver with two live rounds, PHP1,500 in marked money, and a sling bag from the suspect.

Lidawan noted that many robbery suspects are also involved in illegal drug activities.

Oropel is currently in the custody of the Roxas City Police Station, and charges for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Gun Ban will be filed against him on Monday.

Lidawan urged the public to report illegal activities in their communities.

Capiz’s Top 9 Most Wanted Suspect Arrested

Meanwhile, a provincial-level Top 9 most wanted person was arrested on Saturday afternoon in Barangay Culasi, Roxas City.

Police identified the suspect as alias “Roger,” 52, of Barangay Tiza.

A warrant of arrest was issued against him by Judge Joan Marie B. Bargas-Betita of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14, Roxas City, on March 5, 2025.

The suspect is facing charges of rape by sexual assault.

He is currently in the custody of the Roxas City Police for proper legal proceedings.