Robbery suspect leaves belongings at target store

CEBU, Philippines - A man who left his things, including a wallet that contained his identification card, at a store in Balamban town that he allegedly robbed yesterday is now the subject of a manhunt.

The suspect left his gun holster, mobile phone and wallet inside the store owned by one Jennelyn Ho.

Citing the results of the investigation conducted by PO2 Alfredo de Garcia, chief investigator SPO1 Jose Villarin said the store's caretaker, Rufina Lapay, 57, woke up at past 6 a.m. yesterday when she noticed that the boxes in the other room were in disarray.

When she went to the other room to arrange the boxes, the suspect reportedly appeared before her, pointed a gun, and demanded that she tell him where he could find the money.

 "Usa sa caretaker si Rufina Lapay, minyo, sayo ning nimata nag-init og tubig, niadto sa pikas kwarto, pagtan-aw niya nagubot ang karton sa stock nila. Kalit lang nibangon ang suspek nga naa nas kwarto nga naay galingan sa cacao, nagkupot og armas gitionanan siya, miingon nga asa ang kwarta. Nitubag ang caretaker nga  wa may kwarta diri dong naa man sa among amo," Villarin said.

When Lapay told the man her boss had taken the money, the suspect brought her to the other room and locked her.

The other caretaker, Mary Chris Bacaron, 23, was taking a bath at that time when she heard shouting, prompting her to check. Unfortunately, the suspect found her and locked her in the same room with Lapay.

The suspect also tried to target Bacaron's husband but the latter managed to run away.

The suspect then fled, oblivious that he had left the items at the store.

Villarin said that based on the identification card recovered, the suspect is said to be a husband of a former employee of the store.

His Honda Wave motorcycle 125 with plate number 1189GS was also recovered at a terminal in Balamban.

The suspect will be facing charges for robbery with intimidation. – (FREEMAN)