A 34-year-old man was arrested in a hot pursuit after he robbed a pet shop in Tanauan City, Batangas. 

The suspect is a resident of Barangay Poblacion Uno in the city.

According to the police, the suspect entered the pet shop and inquired about an electronic money app. He then pulled out a knife and pointed it at the 43-year-old female shop owner and declared a holdup.

He left the shop with more or less P4,000 and a phone. 

“Nag-okay itong si biktima [sa inquiry], [then] naglabas ng kutsilyo — kitchen knife — itong suspek at nag-declare ng hold-up. Then nakuha niya itong pera na kulang-kulang P4,000 [at] ‘yung [phone], then sabay alis na siya ng pet shop,” PLTCOL. Apolinario Lunar Jr., Officer in Charge of the Tanauan City Component Police Station.

As the suspect exited the shop, residents shouted for help, which prompted tricycle drivers and other residents to chase him.  

The police also responded and arrested the suspect as he was driving a motorcycle towards Sto. Tomas City, Batangas.

The police said the suspect had asked for forgiveness and said he committed the crime due to financial difficulties.

“Humihingi siya ng tawad doon sa biktima, sabi niya, ‘Pasensya na po't talagang nagipit lang ako't talagang kailangan ng pamilya ko, wala akong pera. Kailangan ko ang pera kaya nagawa ko ang krimen,’” Lunar said.

The money and phone were returned to the owner. 

The police urged business owners and residents to be vigilant against suspicious individuals, and emphasized the importance of a CCTV camera. 

“Mag-ingat tayo, at sana sa mga establishimento… mas maganda po talaga ang may CCTV (closed circuit television), para mabilis po natin ma-identify ang suspek, at hindi na makagawa ng ganitong krimen,” Lunar said.