6 robbers take off with jewelry worth P5 million

CEBU, Philippines - Six motorcycle-riding robbers took off with jewelry worth about P 5 million in an early afternoon heist at the foot of the Marcelo B. Fernan Bridge in Lapu-Lapu City.

The pieces of jewelry were 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 board a gray colored Toyota Innova of their company so that they would be brought to the headquarters.

At about 2 p.m. while the driver of the Innova identified as Mariolito Obenita was about to turn right to the bridge, 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 hold up.

The pawnshop employees arrived on two separate flights from Mindanao – Cagayan de Oro and Ozamis.

The group from Cagayan de Oro were first to arrive at 1:20 p.m. They were identified as regional manager Manuel Quiero, Jr., area manager Cesar Lisondra, Jr. and Antonio Bueno all of Opus Pawnshop, which is part of the M. Lhuillier chain.

Those from Ozamis arrived in a flight that landed 20 minutes later. They were identified as area managers Agustin Wagas and Grace de Gracia and branch manager Abbis Ares.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Theft and Robbery Section chief, Insp. William Homoc, conducted the initial investigation into the heist.

 Aside from the jewelry, which were inside a bag taken from one of the employees, two laptop computers, cellular phones, and P10,000 cash were also taken.

The cash was taken from Lisondra.

It was learned during the investigations that the pawnshop officers were bringing with them assorted jewelry and were also headed to the main office for a meeting.

The robbers failed to get the other bags that were with the other people inside the Innova.

The victims, who were brought to the police station said that the robbers sped off towards Mandaue City.

Sr. Supt. Anthony Obenza, director of the LCPO, said that among the angles they are looking into is the possibility of an inside job.

The police later recovered one of the motorcycles, which was abandoned in front of a mall in Cebu City.

   A similar robbery also took place three years ago when Davao-based employees of Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop were held at gunpoint in the same area.

The robbers took an estimated P1 million worth of jewelry in that heist. — /NLQ (FREEMAN)