Fool me once: Two robbers die, cohort arrested after trying to rob online seller again
It was supposed to be another successful hit through their tried-and-tested modus but when they tried to prey on the very same businesswoman they robbed almost three months ago, the ending was not the way they expected it to be.
Two suspected robbers died while their companion was arrested following a brief gun battle with operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Angono town of Rizal.
CIDG director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the operation stemmed from the complaint of a businesswoman who is engaged in online selling of jewelry who told the police that the three-men robbery team contacted her for a meet-up, not knowing that they already robbed her using their modus on Nov. 24 last year.
Torre said the modus of the suspects was to pose as gold and jewelry buyers for the online sellers of jewelry.
They would then lure their victims to go to a resort for viewing and buying of jewelry and gold items. When the victim would agree for a meeting, they would then declare a robbery using their firearms.
In the case of the complainant, she lost a number of gold jewelry when she agreed to meet with the suspects at the Emerald Hills Resort, Antipolo City on Nov. 24 last year.
Determined to move on after the unfortunate incident, Torre said the victim created a new online selling account for her business.
Several days ago, she was contacted by the same robbers who were not apparently aware the account online account owner was then same woman they victimized last year.
The complainant then sought the CIDG assistance which led to the entrapment at noon on Monday, Feb. 10.
One of the suspects was arrested after the transaction but the two were able to run away. But they were cornered after a brief chase which resulted in a firefight that killed the duo.
Torre said the cadavers were brought to the Forensic Unit for autopsy examination while the arrested suspect will be charged with violation of Article 293 (Robbery) of the Revised Penal Code and RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).