Cops identify getaway vehicle in mall heist

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By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY—Police have identified the getaway vehicle used by the suspects in last week’s robbery at a shopping mall in Barangay Palampas, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

During a press briefing on Saturday, Police Lieutenant Colonel Nazer Canja, the city police chief, revealed significant developments in the case, including photos captured from closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.

Based on their investigation and the CCTV evidence, Canja stated that at least five suspects were involved in the incident, including three accomplices.

The group reportedly rented a cottage at an inn in Barangay Macapso, Vallehermoso town, before committing the crime.

One of the inn’s staff members managed to take a photo of the getaway vehicle, identified as a white Mitsubishi Montero. The staff also noted that the group spoke Cebuano or Hiligaynon, based on overheard phone conversations.

Through collaboration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), police have identified the vehicle’s owners, which may assist in the ongoing investigation. The vehicle was last seen in Batangas City, according to authorities.

Police have teamed up with other agencies and police stations to track down the suspects and investigate other cases with similar tactics.

Canja explained that two unidentified men, wearing bonnets, ransacked four stores, stealing P1.4 million worth of cash, jewelry, and tools from the city’s largest mall on Monday night, August 19.

The robbers accessed and exited the mall through a 372-meter tunnel adjacent to a building on C.L. Ledesma Avenue.

The incident was discovered on Tuesday morning, August 20, when employees arrived for work at 7 a.m.

Canja urged the mall to enhance its security measures, noting this was the second robbery reported this year. In March, P450,000 worth of gadgets were stolen from the mall during Holy Week.

He appealed to the public, especially those with knowledge of the case, to assist the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in resolving the matter.

The SIT is led by Canja, with Police Captain Honey Labaro as the assistant team leader, and Police Staff Sergeant Archie Alfajora as the case investigator.