Two men deny part in P5M jewelry heist

CEBU, Philippines - A 43-year-old resident of Mandaue City and his cousin went to the Cebu City Police Office yesterday to clear their names and deny involvement in the robbery of M. Lhuillier Pawnshop personnel at the foot of the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge, Lapu-Lapu City, last Wednesday afternoon.

Jerry Daan Camagro, 43, of Barangay Subangdaku, and his cousin Jay Sia Camagro, 25, were seen via security cameras shortly after the robbery driving a motorcycle in front of APM Mall and later abandoning the vehicle.

CCPO personnel later brought them to the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office which is handling the investigation of the incident.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Director Senior Supt. Anthony Obenza told reporters that they decided to release the two after the pawnshop employees said the two were not with the robbers.

“Wala gayud sila matumbok nga nalakip sa mga tawo nga mitulis sa mga biktima mao nga mapugos gayud kita sa pagpapauli nila,” said Obenza.

However, Obenza said that motorcycle the two rode on will remain under their custody because of lack of registration.

Jerry admitted that when they noticed a police checkpoint near the Cebu City abattoir at the North Reclamation Area they diverted and parked the motorcycle in front of APM Mall.

Jerry said he knew he had an expired driver’s license and registration.

Obenza said they are also still waiting for the inventory by pawnshop employees.

Last Wednesday, six men on motorcycles took off with jewelry worth about P5 million in an afternoon heist at the foot of the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge in Lapu-Lapu City.

The jewelry was supposed to be brought to the main office of M. Lhuillier Pawnshop at the North Reclamation Area in Cebu City from its branches in Mindanao.

The pawnshop employees, who came from the airport, were on a gray Toyota Innova owned by their company.

At about 2 p.m. while the driver of the Innova identified as Mariolito Obenita, was about to turn right to the bridge when a speeding Starex van forced him to slow down.

At this point, six men on board three motorcycles surrounded the Innova and then one of them broke the windshield of the vehicle using a hammer. The robbers then trained their guns at the pawnshop employees and declared a robbery. (FREEMAN)