Abandoned car key to suspects in Binondo armored van heist

Police are now hot on trail of the owner of an abandoned car which could provide vital leads to the suspects in the armored van heist in Binondo, Manila on Tuesday.

The white and blue Tamaraw FX van, with license plate TMS-351, was reportedly under the name of one Jonabel Ramilo of Valenzuela City, according to records of the Land Transportation Office verified by Chief Inspector Benito Macalindong, chief of the anti-carnapping section of the Manila Police District.

The car was recovered a few meters from the State Investment Center at the corner of Juan Luna and Rentas streets in Binondo, where the armored van of JAS Security Corp. was robbed.

"We have a strong hint that the armed suspects were the occupants of the abandoned Tamaraw FX van. No one can drive around the streets of Manila, specially on board motorcycles, with long firearms," Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo, who heads the MPD’s theft and robbery section, said.

At least six men, armed with high-powered rifles and pistols, accosted Joel dela Cruz, 30, a messenger of Precious Lyn Money Changer, while he was about to deliver some P8 million (consisting of $150,000 and four million yen) to ABBA Corp. at the 12th floor of the State Investment Center building.

De la Cruz was shot by the suspects before taking his belt bag containing the money.

Perla Perez-Balubar, 43, cashier of the money exchange shop, was dragged out of the armored van by the suspects before taking the other half of the money but was left unharmed.

Security guard Gilbert Ramos was also shot by the suspects. The two casualties were rushed to the Manila Doctors Hospital and the Metropolitan Hospital.