Traffic jam, Punta police foil P6.2 million robbery

CEBU, Philippines - Thanks to a traffic jam.

But four robbery suspects are probably now cursing the cause of the traffic jam late afternoon yesterday that led to their arrest after taking P6.2 million worth of jewelry in a heist at F. Llamas St. corner N. Bacalso Ave., Basak, Cebu City.

Three of the four people arrested are from Mindanao and the fourth member of the group, who hails from Cebu is believed to be their local contact.

The victim was identified as Jennifer de la Cerna of barangay Bulacao, Cebu City.

She was at a fastfood outlet in the area to get pieces of jewelry that she left with a client, who wanted to resell them.

The four suspects were identified as Noel Davis, 44, of Ludo Subdivision, Panabo, Davao City; Frederick Ybañez, 38, of Ozamiz City; Jeromy Polistico, 34, of Clarin, Misamis Oriental; and Kirby Abanilla, 25, of barangay Pasil, Cebu City.

De la Cerna said that she just met a client, who returned to her several pieces of jewelry.

She left the jewelry with her client in barangay Labangon, but later got a call from the latter that she was returning them as two people who ordered from her had already left. The two agreed to meet at the fastfood outlet.

After de la Cerna’s client handed back the jewelry, she reportedly left the place.

De la Cerna later also decided to leave the place but was suddenly approached by two armed men who demanded for her shoulder bag containing the jewelry.

She handed the bag to the two men, who immediately got on board a black Mitsubishi Adventure and sped away towards Punta Princesa.

While de la Cerna was shouting for help, a man on board a motorcycle approached her and offered to alert the police who are based at the nearby Punta Princesa Police Station.

The police from the station led by their chief, Sr. Insp. Gilberto Abellar, immediately pursued the robbery suspects and caught up with them at Tres de Abril St., barangay Labangon about 15 minutes after the heist.

The four suspects tried to run away as their vehicle was caught in a traffic jam, but SPO4 Gualberto Oroc fired warning shots and the other policemen cornered the suspects at Victor Village 1 in barangay Punta Princesa.

Recovered from the suspects were about 10 pieces of diamond-studded jewelry, P20,000 cash, two caliber .45 pistols with three magazines loaded with ammunition, a .38 caliber revolver and 12 lives ammunition.

The police also recovered the getaway vehicle with plate number ZBW-867. They are now verifying the ownership of the vehicle, which also contained four huge knapsacks and four plastic bags that contained clothes and five pieces of men’s wallets.

The police are now checking the alleged client of de la Cerna to see if she has any involvement in the crime.

Cebu City Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador said that last Sunday, he alerted his men about the presence of a group of robbers from Mindanao that will pull off a robbery in the city this week. – Niña G. Sumacot/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)