Janitor admits construction firm burglary

CEBU - The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday placed under arrest a janitor who admitted robbing a Mandaue City-based construction manufacturing company during a tactical interrogation yesterday.

Dindo Elim, 23, of Barangay Jagobiao appeared before the NBI office yesterday afternoon in response to a subpoena relative to the robbery at Joyland Industries Corporation last November 29. Elim works as a janitor in the company.

When he was informed that he would be subjected to a polygraph test, Elim “cracked” and admitted to NBI agent Jedidah Hife that he was the one who broke into the president’s office last November 29.

Elim subsequently led the NBI to his house at the back of Eversley Child Hospital in Mandaue City and there, the NBI recovered P159,000, which is allegedly part of the more than P400,000 Elim stole from the company.

Elim admitted he was not alone in the job but refused to reveal the identity of his companion who reportedly keeps part of the money.

James Yu, president of Joyland Industries, the other day requested the NBI to investigate the burglary in his office.

NBI investigators found out that the suspects gained entrance to Yu’s office by breaking into the aircon window at the second floor and passing through the manhole at the ceiling.

The incident was captured by the surveillance camera but the suspects could not be identified because they covered their faces with their shirts. They also wore gloves and socks to avoid leaving any prints.

They also tried to mislead investigators by writing on the office floor that the crime was carried out by members of the “AFP boys” who meet in Bohol.

Elim is currently detained at the NBI office and will be charged today with qualified theft before the Mandaue City Prosecutors’ Office. — Fred P. Languido/JMO (THE FREEMAN)