Land Bank heist suspect released

CEBU — Police released from custody the vehicle mechanic tagged as a suspect in the P22 million Land Bank heist on Friday even as the National Bureau of Investigation makes a separate probe and may recall the suspect for questioning.

Julito Dungog, who was under the custody of the Theft and Robbery Section, was released yesterday at about 11 o’clock a.m.

TRS chief Narciso Ouano said city police director Cecil Ezra Sandalo endorsed Dungog’s release, apparently convinced of the mechanic’s alibi.

Dungog was seen by residents in Sepulveda Street emerging from the getaway van that the thieves used in running away with the loot. Five men left the van first but Dungog was the last to leave and as he dashed for freedom ran smack into a group of responding policemen.

Dungog, a mechanic of Pony Trade Sem Yung Trading Company Limited, said he had accompanied the group on a road test as a mechanic and driver of the van.

The robbers had arranged with Pony Trade to buy the gray Hyundai Grand Saloon, the getaway van, on condition that Dungog would ride with them while taking the vehicle on a road test. Pony Trade is a dealer of imported cars.

In riding with the men for a road test, Dungog instead found himself part of a bank heist. But Dungog’s co-employees validated his claim that he was there as a mechanic and driver and was not directly involved with the heist.

Sandalo had earlier been suspicious about Dungog’s participation in the heist because the robbers spared his life even as he witnessed the robbery unfold in front of him. He had at least two opportunities to flee after what the men were up to became apparent but he opted to stay with them right up to the moment they ditched the vehicle.

The corroboration of co-employees that Dungog was a mechanic convinced police that Dungog may have been a mere witness to the crime and must be released from custody. — Freeman news Service