Traffic enforcer nabbed for extortion

A traffic enforcer was arrested after he allegedly tried to extort money from a truck driver in Quezon City shortly after midnight yesterday.

Nelson Castañeda, 46, was caught during a police operation along Katipunan Avenue at around 12:30 a.m.

Celso Buhayan told police Castañeda and four others pulled him over for a supposed traffic violation and extorted P500 from him.

Buhayan said Castañeda took his driver’s license and the OR/CR of the truck.

Castañeda told the truck driver that he would be fined P11,000 for reckless driving.

Castañeda, who claims to be a traffic enforcer detailed at the District Traffic Enforcement Unit Sector 3, was arrested by operatives of the District Special Operations Unit. His four companions eluded arrest.

Police confiscated a .45 caliber Armscor pistol and bullets from Castañeda.

Charges of robbery, extortion and violation of the election gun ban are being readied against the suspect.