Marcial Ponesto, 31, is known as by the police as one of many suspects within the theft of two pawnshops in downtown Cebu Metropolis final August 8. | CDN Photograph/ Emmariel Ares
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu Metropolis police have arrested one of many suspects concerned within the theft of two neighboring pawnshops and jewellery shops alongside Calderon Avenue in Barangay Ermita on August 8.
Lower than per week after the incident, regulation enforcement officers made their first arrest and recovered two getaway autos.
The arrested suspect, recognized as Marcial Ponesto, 31, is allegedly a local of Iligan Metropolis however has been residing in Pagsabungan, Mandaue Metropolis for a while. He was apprehended by police at a vacant lot in Brgy. Paknaan, Mandaue Metropolis, at round 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13.
In keeping with police, Ponesto was discovered within the driver’s seat of the sports activities utility automobile (SUV) used within the theft. He was about to start out the engine and drive away when the officers arrived.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, spokesperson for the Particular Investigations Process Group (SITG), reported that Ponesto was beneath the affect of unlawful medication on the time of his arrest.
Consequently, he provided minimal resistance and was unable to talk coherently.
Macatangay disclosed that police found firearms, explosives, unlawful medication, and clothes believed to have been worn by the robbers contained in the SUV.
The identical automobile was utilized by the suspects to flee after stealing over P15 million value of knickknack from two pawnshops round 11:00 a.m. on August 8.
Seconds after the robberies, the armed suspects fled on three bikes.
The SUV pushed by Ponesto was ready for them in entrance of the Carbon Market Interim Constructing.
CCTV footage from a close-by institution confirmed two suspects on a bike stopping by the parked SUV.
The again rider received off, entered the SUV, after which rejoined the bike driver, whereas one other suspect walked by and likewise entered the SUV earlier than it drove away.
Via a relentless hot-pursuit operation, police tracked the SUV’s location, resulting in the arrest of 1 suspect.
Macatangay said that the SUV’s proprietor is a policeman assigned to a different area and an acquaintance of Ponesto.
On Tuesday night, Ponesto allegedly drove to the empty lot in Paknaan as a result of the individual guarding it was a pal.
It’s attainable that Ponesto meant to maneuver the automobile to a different hiding place.
The SUV proprietor, who isn’t stationed in Central Visayas, is now thought of a Particular person of Curiosity (POI) within the robberies.
Macatangay added that the proprietor is beneath investigation. Previous to the theft, Ponesto allegedly used the SUV to survey the world the place their targets have been positioned.
In keeping with Macatangay, at the least 4 suspects have been recognized within the theft. Two are believed to nonetheless be in Cebu, whereas the others have already fled. Police are additionally verifying the involvement of a number of further POIs.
Macatangay talked about that the suspects accountable for the robberies are usually not from Cebu and are allegedly linked to the Parojinog theft group. They reportedly got here to Cebu and contacted native figures, like Ponesto, to help with their plan.
As of now, Ponesto is the one suspect apprehended, together with his accomplices nonetheless at massive. Nevertheless, Macatangay is assured that it’s only a matter of time earlier than all suspects, together with the potential mastermind, are caught. The investigation is ongoing to collect extra details about Ponesto, his accomplices, and to get better the stolen items. Authorities hope to file a number of costs, together with theft by band and possession of firearms, towards the recognized suspects by Friday, August 16.
In the meantime, Cebu Metropolis Performing Mayor Alvin Raymond Garcia expressed satisfaction with the progress of the investigation and counseled the police for his or her efforts.
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