Six persons were caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera stealing cartons of cigarettes in a grocery store in Malabuyoc town, southern Cebu Province.

The incident happened past 4 p.m. on July 22, 2025 in Barangay Poblacion Uno, but was reported to the police at about 7 p.m. only.

The video showed a man who climbed a shelf where boxes of cigarettes were placed, while a woman behind him served as lookout.

The man slipped, while another woman arrived.The man attempted to reach the carton by climbing the shelf again. However, he was not able to lift it.

Another man arrived, took the box himself, placed it on the floor, and left.

One of the two women stayed behind to pick up the carton, until she was lost in the frame of the CCTV camera.

It was only after the store owner had reviewed the CCTV footage that the incident was reported to the police.

Based on police investigation, the six persons gained access through the back portion of the grocery store, and boarded motorcycles to flee.

It was learned from Police Captain Henry Estoy, chief of Malabuyoc Police Station, that the suspects carted away three cartons of cigarettes worth approximately P240,000.

As of this writing, investigation is ongoing to establish the identities of the suspects.