LAGUNA – A woman was arrested for robbing a convenience store in Barangay San Antonio, Biñan City after she was cornered by concerned residents on Saturday, May 28.
Biñan City Police Station (CPS) identified the suspect as Celeste Mercado, a resident of San Manuel, Pangasinan.
According to the investigation, Mercado and an accomplice entered the store armed with a gun. They fired the gun up the ceiling two times, declared a holdup, and took P12,510 from the cash register.
The suspects fled in the direction of Barangay San Vicente, but citizens were able to corner Mercado, leading to her arrest.
Authorities confiscated from Mercado a .38 caliber revolver and two pieces of live ammunition. Also recovered from the crime scene were one deformed fired bullet and two pieces of fired cartridge cases.
Biñan CPS is conducting a hot pursuit operation to arrest Mercado's accomplice and recover the money stolen from the convenience store.
In a statement, Laguna Provincial Director Col. Cecilio R. Ison Jr. thanked the concerned citizens who helped the police arrest the suspect.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A Director Brig. Gen. Antonio C. Yarra, on the other hand, said the authorities are now investigating if the group is responsible for the series of retail store robberies in Laguna and nearby provinces.