2 convenience store robbers nabbed through tracker of stolen cellphone

Two of four suspects tagged in the robbery of a convenience store in San Mateo, Rizal were arrested after authorities tracked them down through one of the phones stolen during the heist. 

According to John Consulta’s exclusive report in “24 Oras” on Monday, CCTV footage showed three men wearing helmets entering the convenience store where they declared a holdup. 

One of the suspects dragged a female customer into the stockroom.

Meanwhile, another suspect went straight to the cash register and got all the cash inside the cabinet and grabbed the keys to the vault. 

All the suspects later went to the stockroom and took the money inside the vault. 

They also seized the customer’s watch, ring, and mobile phone. 

Before fleeing, one of the suspects kicked the customer towards a corner of the room and stole other items from the establishment. 

“These are notorious thieves who victimized many people. From Taguig, they expanded their operations and now cover the NCR and CALABARZON regions,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Tabaog of the San Mateo Police. 

Two of the four suspects were later arrested in Taguig City. Authorities recovered the helmets and clothes they used during the robbery from them. Police also recovered a gun and a grenade from the suspects.

The group was supposed to conduct another robbery in Taguig City but were tracked down because of the phone they stole from the female customer.

“One of the cellphones taken had a tracking device. We used that to track down and locate the suspects,” said Tabaog. 

The police are still conducting follow-up operations to arrest the two other suspects. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA News