Thieves stole over P35 million in jewels and P721,000 cash from a shop in Ozamiz City’s mall.
Emil Sumangil reported on 24 Oras that employees found their shop’s safe burglarized and emptied when they arrived to start the year’s first sales day on Monday.
“Gumawa sila ng malaking butas, dumaan doon ang mga suspek. May dala silang martilyo, barena, ganun po. Sa food court, doon sila lumabas, tapos binutasan nila yung roll-up para makapasok sila sa may grocery. Tapos sa store namin, binutasan nila yung glass door namin,” said jewelry store manager Jerica Reyes.
(The accused individuals created a large opening to pass through using a hammer and a drill. They emerged in the food court area and forcibly opened a gateway through the roll-up to access the supermarket. In our shop, they breached our glass entrance by making a hole.)
The suspects managed to unlock the store’s safe.
“Binasag po nila yung vault, hindi ko alam ano ginamit nila. Nagtataka po kasi ako, kasi mabigat ang vault namin, double door at double lock. Hindi ko alam paano nila binuksan at winasak yung vault namin,” she said.
(They broke the vault, I don’t know what they used. I’m wondering because our vault is heavy, it’s double door and double lock. I don’t know how they opened and destroyed our vault.)
Robbers use mall drainage to steal P35 million in valuables
The suspects next forced entry into an ATM after hitting a jewelry store. The sum stolen remains unknown. Police say the culprits entered through sewer lines to access the mall.
“Doon sila sa parang food court nakapasok, ginamitan ng equipment para mabuksan nila yung harang na metal,” said Police Major Euredicy Revillas, Deputy Chief of Police, Ozamiz City.
They went into a dining area and operated tools to unlock the steel gate.
Three suspects and five potential accomplices, all local residents, have been arrested after reportedly vandalizing the store’s surveillance camera.
The police acknowledged the possibility of additional suspects involved in the theft.
“Tinitingnan natin na baka kasi itong mga nasa police custody, ay ginamit lang. Ine-encourage namin yung mga citizen na baka matulungan kami na mag report sila any lead or info that would help the PNP solve the case,” she added.
(We are looking into the possibility that those in police custody were just used. We are encouraging the citizens who might help us to report any lead or info that would help the PNP solve the case.)
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