3 nabbed for drugstore break-in

MANILA, Philippines — Three people who allegedly ransacked a drugstore in Quezon City over the weekend were arrested on Monday, police announced yesterday.

Orlando Vidal, 23; Jay Dangcalan, 21, and Daniel Castro, 26, were arrested by operatives of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD)’s criminal investigation and detection unit during manhunt operations in Barangay Silangan in San Mateo, Rizal and along Visayas Avenue in Barangay Sta. Lucia, Quezon City.

QCPD director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said in a news conference the suspects were among a group of men who stole an undetermined amount of cash from a Mercury drugstore in Barangay Greater Fairview.

The robbery was discovered by employees at around 5:10 a.m. on Sunday.

Maranan said the suspects entered the pharmacy through the back door and forcibly opened its vault.

Police investigators recovered a metal saw in the drugstore and a hammer at a nearby vacant lot.

Maranan said the suspects were identified through closed-circuit television footage.

Operatives of the CIDU and the Fairview police station led by Lt. Col. Elizabeth Jasmin arrested Vidal and Dangcalan in San Mateo while Castro was collared in Barangay Sta. Lucia.

The suspects are facing charges of robbery before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office. A separate complaint for illegal possession of a firearm was also slapped against Vidal after a .38 caliber pistol was confiscated from him.

Maranan said a manhunt is underway for two other men who took part in the robbery.