Mall heist suspects escape dragnet

MANILA, Philippines - Some 120 police officers from the Southern Police District and the National Capital Region Police Office swooped down early Thursday on suspected hideouts in Upper Bicutan and Maharlika Village in Taguig City of four suspects in last Saturday’s SM Megamall jewelry store heist.

Police said the suspects were able to escape the police dragnet that was laid at about 5:30 a.m.

SPD director Chief Supt. Jose Erwin Villacorte said targets of the raid were Crisolito Unito, who was identified by the mall’s security cameras as the one of the robbers wearing a white T-shirt and a cap. His last known address was at the

Maharlika Village.

The second target was identified as Alex Damalen, who police said was the robber caught by the CCTV as the one wearing a belt bag. Damalen’s last known address was at the Maharlika Village.

Also targeted by the raid were suspects identified as Nasrudin Andal and Tho Mangulamas.

“It is possible that the suspects became aware of the raid and were able to escape. We had information that the suspects were there. Rest assured that our efforts to locate them continue,” said Villacorte.