CCTV hints cops on gas station burglary in Argao

CEBU, Philippines - Operatives of Argao Police Station arrested yesterday three sisters believed to be the suspects of gasoline station burglary in Albarasin Street, Barangay Poblacion past 2 a.m. on Friday.

Lovely Comaling, 25; Marry Ann Comaling, 21 and Nerisa Comaling, 19, of Barangay Langtad, Argao town, who identified themselves as scavengers, were arrested after Argao Police conducted follow-up operation regarding the incident.

They were captured by a closed-circuit television camera, authorities said.

Police Officer 2 Paulino Sanchez, desk officer, said owner Edwin Figues, 61, of M.J. Cuenco, Argao, reported to the police station past 6 a.m. on Friday that when he arrived at the gasoline station, the door was already destroyed.

Police officers immediately responded to the alarm and found out that the P10,000 sales proceeds and a mobile phone were missing.

During the course of the investigation, police officers noticed that a CCTV camera was mounted near the gasoline station that might have captured the event.

Investigators saw three ladies in the “clear” video footage.

The three suspects opened the door using flat screw driver and carted away the sales proceeds and the mobile phone.

Because their faces can easily be recognized, they were traced by the police at a junkshop selling plastics that they have gathered.

The police were able to recover P3,500 from the suspects who admitted the crime.

The suspects told police investigators during the custodial investigation that they used a flat screw driver to destroy the door and took the money and the phone.

Sanchez said Lovely was arrested five times for the same offense, Marry Ann twice for the same offense and their youngest sister Nerisa, first time.

The three sisters are currently detained at Argao Police Station detention center while waiting for the filing of robbery with force upon things against the suspects. — Bryner L. Diaz/JMD (FREEMAN)