Burglars nabbed after selling jewelry to shop owned by victim

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected burglars were arrested in Caloocan City last Tuesday after trying to sell their loot to a jewelry store owned by their victim.

 

Jemar Oaña, 33, said his business partner at the Threshold silver shop on San Quitera Road called him up Tuesday evening to tell him about two men trying to sell jewelry that he had recognized as Oaña's.

 

He checked his house, which was less than half a kilometer from the store, and found that pieces of gold and silver jewelry, a laptop, tablet, digital camera had been stolen from his home that very day. The burglars are believed to have entered the house through a hole meant for an air-conditioning unit.

 

"I told him to buy it at a cheap price because I have some money in the shop. Little did they know, they were selling the jewelry where I work," Oaña said.

 

He then reported the incident to the police, with security camera footage of the two in the store as evidence.

 

The suspects were later arrested as they boarded a jeep for Balintawak, according to Barangay 163 watchman Christopher Bumatay.

 

One of the stolen items recovered was a pendant etched with the name of Oaña's daughter.

 

The stolen items including the laptop, tablet and camera are estimated to be worth P50,000.

 

The suspects Marold Soliven, 20, and Ronald Jimenez, 31, are set to be charged with robbery. Although he was not with Soliven at the silver shop, Jimenez had kept the stolen laptop.

 

Soliven was accompanied by a 17-year-old boy when he tried to sell the jewelry.

 

The boy has been transferred to the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development Office.