Guard robs pawnshop of P1-million jewelry, cash

MANILA, Philippines - A security guard allegedly robbed the pawnshop he was guarding of nearly P1 million in cash and jewelry after locking up the establishment’s two employees in Caloocan City Wednesday afternoon.     

Senior Superintendent Jude Wilson Santos, city police chief, identified the suspect as Michael Andres, 29, who works for the Varsity Security Agency.

Records show Andres reportedly took P820,000 in jewelry and P130,000 from the Goodyear Pawnshop, located at the corner of EDSA and Benin stret, at around 3:30 p.m.

Branch manager Jeannie Vasquez and branch cashier Riolyn Plamero said Andres first asked Plamero for permission to enter the cashier’s booth. Palmero opened the steel gate leading to her booth.      

Once inside, Andres reportedly forced the booth open and dragged Palmero into a closet, hogtied her and locked her inside. Andres then ordered Vasquez to open the vault and then took her to join Palmero.     

Before leaving, Andres apologized to the two women, saying they had been kind to him but that his agency left him in dire financial straits.

Sensing Andres had left, the two women said they ran out of the closet and found the jewelry and money missing. The case is still being investigated, said Police Officer 1 Alejandro Billedo Jr. – Jerry Botial