In a daring heist within a Zamboanga City mall, four burglars successfully looted three stores and an automated teller machine (ATM), making off with an estimated P2 million worth of cash and jewelry. The culprits, believed to have infiltrated the premises through a hole drilled in the floor of the grocery store, were captured on the mall’s CCTV footage, their faces concealed and carrying bags presumably filled with the stolen goods.
The breach was discovered by employees of the affected establishments on Wednesday morning, finding their stores in disarray and valuables missing. Authorities investigating the incident identified the robbers’ point of entry through a hole in the grocery section leading to the drainage system, suggesting premeditated planning and execution.
Lieutenant Colonel Helen Galvez, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Zamboanga (PRO-9), emphasized the uniqueness of the robbery method in the city, highlighting the meticulous planning that went into the crime. “Looking at their way of entry, it’s clear that days were allocated for their ingress. We’re exploring all angles in this case,” she stated.
The authorities are currently analyzing additional CCTV footage from around the mall to gather more evidence. A supervisory team from the Regional Investigation Management Division has been dispatched to oversee the investigation, with efforts ongoing to examine all available CCTV recordings.
The incident, described by Lt. Col. Galvez as a first of its kind in Zamboanga City, has prompted a thorough investigation. The mall’s management has yet to issue a statement regarding the robbery.