From restaurants to armored vans

The Resto Gang, responsible for a recent rash of robberies at restaurants in Metro Manila, has been tagged as the same group that robbed an armored van in Cubao, Quezon City the other day.

Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), has ordered the gathering of strong evidence against the robbers so additional charges can be filed against them.

The link was discovered after the Starex van, which the Resto Gang used in robbing diners of the Outback Restaurant in Libis, Quezon City, was also spotted during the ambush of an armored van doing its rounds in Cubao.

"The Starex van was spotted in the armored van robbery," a source at the NCRPO told The Star. "But it was not one of the vehicles abandoned by the robbers."

Two of the vehicles used by the robbers, a Mitsubishi Adventure (XCJ 308) and a Toyota Hi-Ace were recovered abandoned along Dama de Noche in Barangay Mariana.

Meanwhile, the Central Police District remained confident that the 15 gunmen responsible for robbing an armored van and shooting two of its escort guards will be arrested soon.

A high-ranking CPD official told The STAR that the robbers are believed to be hiding "somewhere in Parañaque City." Sources added that they stole some P1 million in cash.

Chief Inspector Rodolfo Jaraza, head of the CPD-Intelligence Unit, said they have several cartographic sketches of the suspects.

"It is now only a matter of time before we crack this case," Jaraza said in a telephone interview.

Reports showed that the suspects, armed with M-16 and M-14 rifles, engaged in a shootout with the escort guards of the armored van Wednesday afternoon in front of a Dunkin’ Donuts branch at the corner of Balete Drive and Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City.

Guards Salvador Nonado and Errol Gonzon suffered bullet wounds in the legs and are currently receiving medical treatment. The suspects fled with several bags of cash and later abandoned their vehicles.

Jaraza said the suspects boarded a Starex van and another getaway car. They were last seen heading toward the direction San Juan near Ortigas Avenue.

Police said that the gunmen have been staking out the Dunkin’ Donuts shop for several hours, waiting for the armored van to arrive. The armored van, which had collected cash from at least 15 establishments, parked at the said shop at about 4 p.m.

The guards alighted and were immediately met with gunfire from the suspects. Police believe that several of the suspects were injured during the incident because they found traces of blood in the abandoned vehicles.