Man robs chocolate shop in Manila at gunpoint

An armed man robbed the employees of a chocolate shop in Santa Cruz, Manila of cash and their cellphones last April 23.

According to Jamie Santos’ report in “Saksi” on Wednesday, CCTV footage showed the suspect wearing a motorcycle helmet and white jacket as he entered the shop.

One of the two female store employees said the suspect pretended to be buying some chocolates and even inquired about the prices. 

“Pagpasok niya ng store, umikot pa siya. Tapos bumalik po para magtanong ng chocolate. Sinagot ko naman siya. Doon pa lang po nakutuban ko na po siya kaya binaba ko po ‘yung cellphone ko,” she said. 

(He even walked around after he entered the store. Then he came back to ask about the chocolates. I answered him. Right then, I already had a bad feeling about him, so I put my cellphone away.) 

The suspect later pulled a gun and declared the heist. The employees were startled and followed his orders to surrender the store’s cash and their two cellphones.

“Pinapaupo niya po kami tapos nasaan daw po ‘yung mga cellphone… Binigay ko po ‘yung sa akin agad. Tapos ‘yung tinanong niya po ‘yung kaha namin, in-open ko po, binigay ko na po sa kanya lahat ng laman ng kaha namin,” the store employee said. 

(He told us to sit down and asked where the cellphones were… I gave him mine immediately. Then when he asked about our cash register, I opened it and gave him everything that was inside.) 

The suspect got the P16,000 cash from the cash register and even came back to make sure that he already took everything that was of value.

After the robbery, the two female employees sought refuge inside the store’s comfort room, where they reportedly burst into tears due to fear and shock.

The following day, the victims reported the incident to the police.

“Sana mahuli na siya. Kuya, sana makonsensya ka sa ginawa mo sa amin. May pamilya ka rin naman siguro. Kuya, lumaban ka ng patas,” the employee said. 

(I hope he gets caught. I hope your conscience bothers you for what you did to us. You probably have a family too. Please earn a living fairly.) 

Police said the suspect had an accomplice waiting outside the store in a motorcycle with no license plate.

The Manila Police District (MPD) said they have already identified the suspects, who are now the subject of a manhunt. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA News