2 suspects in bank robbery arrested in Manila

Two men were arrested on Tuesday in connection with a bank robbery in Paco, Manila.

In a statement on Thursday, the Manila Police District identified the suspects as Larry Carel, 32 years old, and Ryan Sale, 28.

They were arrested at a gas station on Angelina Canaynay Avenue in Parañaque City during a follow-up investigation and police operation.

Caught on CCTV, they were seen in a Transportify L300 Mitsubishi closed van, which was also spotted parked on the corner of Paz Guanzon and Mendiola Streets in Manila for hours before the bank heist.

According to a report on “24 Oras,” the man who held up a bank in Otis, Paco on Monday was caught on footage meeting with the suspects.

They then placed the motorcycle in the back of the van. The suspects are allegedly employees of Transportify.

“Sinabi rin nung isa na pinsan nila itong holdaper na nakapasok. So magpi-pinsan sila,” MPD director Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco said.

[One of the suspects also said that the man who held up the bank is their cousin.]

The suspects, however, denied the allegations.

A complaint for robbery hold-up was filed against the suspects before the City Prosecutors Office of Manila for inquest proceedings, the MPD said.

The MPD is still working to identify one more suspect behind the robbery. However, the MPD refrained from naming him.

On his first visit to the bank, the robber pretended that he was seeking to open a bank account. He held up the bank on a subsequent visit, stealing almost P600,000.

“Definitely, isasama siya sa investigation,” NCR Police Office regional director Police Major General Vicente Danao said.

GMA News has sought the comment of the bank security guards.

“The long arm of the law will not allow these lawless elements to roam around,” the MPD said. — Joviland Rita and Joahna Lei  Casilao/BM, GMA News