Suspect in QC pawnshop heist arrested

MANILA, Philippines - A suspect in the burglary at a Quezon City pawnshop was arrested in his hometown in Ilocos Sur, police said yesterday.

Jim Bautista, 21, was tagged as among the four men who ransacked the Tambunting pawnshop branch along Calle Industria in Libis area recently, Quezon City Police District director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano said.

“Bautista and the other suspects were seen coming in and out of a manhole in the area days before the break-in,” Albano told The STAR in an interview.

He said the manhole was about 800 meters away from the pawnshop, which lost about P800,000 in cash and valuables.

QCPD deputy director for administration Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said Bautista was nabbed by a police team led by Superintendent Danilo Pecana and Inspector Alan dela Cruz.

The suspect was caught in Barangay Cayus in Quirino town, Ilocos Sur where he hid after the burglary last Feb. 13.

“The suspects apparently made several trips underground as they dug their way into the pawnshop,” Dela Cruz told The STAR.

Police said Bautista has a pending arrest warrant for another case of robbery.

The warrant was issued by a Las Piñas City court with no bail recommended.