Four suspects in a robbery in a Quezon City (QC) restaurant were arrested in different locations following a police operation — thanks to the locator of the cellphones they carted away.
According to a report by James Agustin of GMA Integrated News, CCTV footage caught the suspects entering the establishment and robbing customers of their gadgets. They boarded two motorcycles as they escaped.
They were later arrested in Caloocan, Valenzuela, QC and Makati, the police said.
“We have backtracked locations up to Caloocan, Novaliches, Commonwealth, and at the same time isa sa key factors yung tracing po natin sa devices. Kumuha siya ng nine devices marami roon na-PIN natin ang location services,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel June Paolo Abrazado, chief of Kamuning Police Station.
(One of the key factors in tracing them was the device, we traced their location through the PIN.)
Police recovered two cellphones, two guns loaded with bullets, and the two motorcycles.
The Quezon City Police District said the group not only operates in Metro Manila but in Bulacan and Rizal.
“Modus na nito for some quite some time they have started according to our interview. Since July, ito na ang ginagawa nila on a weekly basis. Lalabas sila, iikot sila, magkakasundo sila kung saan titirang lugar,” Abrazado said.
(This has been the group’s modus for some time, based on our interviews. Since July, they have been doing this on a weekly basis. They would get together and choose establishments to rob.)
The suspects have been previously jailed for various offenses.
“Sa pangangailangan po kasi kaya namin nagagawa yung ganon (We were forced to do what we did to provide for our needs),” one of the suspects said.
Another suspect added they have not been given the opportunity to have decent jobs because they don’t have the requirements that companies ask for.
The suspects will face complaints of robbery. A complaint for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act will also be filed against two suspects. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
