Ex-pawnshop manager held for P8.3 million robbery

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — A former branch manager of a pawnshop, which was burglarized on Saturday night, was arrested on Sunday.

John Paul Cruz, 26, confessed to taking P8 million worth of jewelry and cash amounting to P319,330 from the vault, Maj. Eva Viñas, city police spokesman, sa

Viñas said Cruz claimed he took and threw the closed-circuit television camera of the pawnshop into a river to conceal the crime. The suspect also told police he gave the cash to the driver of the habal-habal that he used to escape.

Cruz said he robbed the pawnshop for fear that his wife would leave him because he has no money.

 Viñas said Cruz’s wife and all pawnshop employees are considered persons of interest.