Criminals victimize city establishments anew

JUST when most people were getting carried away by the holiday rush, criminals took advantage of the situation and victimized establishments in the city. A gasoline station located less the two hundred meters from the city police station lost nearly P20T when emboldened criminals struck the establishment in a daring noontime heist December 19.

City Police Chief Jacinto Cesar said they have yet to ascertain if the robbers are local boys or from outside Bohol . Witnesses said that at 11:45 in the morning, three gun-toting men poked their guns on the cashier at Florencio Lim Caltex Station along CPG avenue fronting Plaza Rizal and immediately declared the hold-up. One hold-upper had a .45 caliber pistol, another one had what was thought to be a .38 or 22 caliber pistol while another handled a bag where they dumped all the cash they could get.

One quick gasoline boy who sensed the unfolding incident sneaked out of the venue to report it to the police. Responding policemen later found that they arrived too late and that the suspects have escaped towards CPG South Avenue where possible get-away vehicle could have picked them up. Two days later, robbers struck twice in succession, victimizing the two establishments in a single day. The first report was received by the Tagbilaran PNP about 8 am last Dec. 21. According to the report, the suspects broke into B & J Computers along Gallares St. possibly the previous night. The computer distribution firm is owned by Benjie Jamora, a brother of a police officer. After the break-in was discovered, an inventory was made to determine the loot of the burglars.

The suspects escaped with laptop computers, computer accessories and other valuables estimated to be worth more than P500,000. Also reported missing was a .38 caliber revolver with six live bullets that was inside one of the store's cabinets. On the same day, the city police station received another burglary report this time from Du Ek Sam's Lesage branch. The robbers seized video cameras of still undetermined amount and other valuables. There was no immediate report of the actual damages because the inventory was not yet completed at the time the robbery was reported.

According to SPO3 Alberto Puagang, Tagbilaran PNP criminal investigator, they are looking into the possible involvement of the notorious “Bolt Cutter Gang”. The gang, which is named after its favorite modus in its activities, has been suspected of involvement in theft cases in various towns and in the city several months back. The gang members break into target establishments by cutting the bolts of the locks before carting away valuables. Thieves take advantage of the holidays when many people become so preoccupied with the celebration that they neglect to take precautionary measures in their homes and establishments.

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