9 supermarket workers caught stealing, arrested

CEBU, Philippines - Nine employees of a supermarket in S. Soriano Street, barangay Carreta in Cebu City were arrested after getting caught in the act of stealing close to P200,000 worth of grocery items last Thursday.

Accused of stealing from White Gold Club, Inc. are six stockmen, a security guard, a driver, and a dealer.

Police identified the suspects Lodovice Sabino, 21, of Hipodromo, Cebu City; Tejie Mark Vinalon, 19, of Consolacion town; Ignacio Mirosa, 18, of barangay Labangon, Cebu City; Erickson Carl Mangubat, 21, of Borbon town; Germel Dinoy, 18, of Lahug, Cebu City; and Agustino Itaas, 51, of Tejero, Cebu City. All of them worked as stockmen.

The rest of the suspects were identified as Rolly Legario, 52, of Tingub, Mandaue City, the driver; Melbourne Tadios, 32, of Consolacion town, the dealer; and Rodrigo Baruc, 25, of Quiot-Pardo, Cebu City, the security guard.

Investigation conducted by the Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the Cebu City Police Office showed that the suspects were caught stealing several boxes of goods by the head guard, Kim Ontolan, 34.

Ontolan told police they placed the suspects under surveillance prior to arresting them. He said the suspects had been stealing items from White Gold three times a week for three months now.

Around 3 pm last Thursday, Ontolan reportedly saw the suspects put items again on their delivery van. He reportedly followed the van driven by Legario towards Pier 4.

Ontolan then sought assistance from the police to trap the van at the port.

SPO2 Francisco Ortiz of the IDMB responded and assisted the guard in apprehending the suspects through citizens’ arrest.

The van reportedly contained several boxes of goods such as powdered milk, juice, coffee, chocolate drinks, and ice tea.

The suspects are now detained and will face criminal charges, Ortiz said.  (FREEMAN)