Six payroll robbers strike in Valenzuela

Six armed men on board two motorcycles waylaid an accountant of a local employment firm and succeeded in driving away with over P300,000 in payroll money last Saturday in Valenzuela City, authorities reported yesterday.

The robbers remain at large.

Senior Inspector Salvador de la Cruz, city investigation branch chief, identified the victim as Josephine Taneo, an accountant of Blue Star Manpower Services, located in Muñoz, Quezon City.

Taneo was accompanied by Michael Torres, messenger, and Romeo Valdez, who drove the company’s black Delica van.

Police Officer 3 Ronald Bautista, officer-on-case, said the victims were on their way to turn over the payroll for the employees of Lao Tire Manufacturing Corp. in Barangay Lingunan at around 4 p.m. when the heist was pulled.

Four gunmen blocked their way while two other cohorts on motorcycles waited nearby with engines running.

One of the suspects threateningly waved and pointed his gun at Taneo. "The money! The money! Give it to me! Give it to me! The money! The money!" he ordered.

After grabbing the bag containing the cash and Taneo’s cell phone, the suspects ran towards the waiting motorcycles and made their get-away. – With Pete Laude