TWO men are behind bars after a “burglary gone wrong” in Barangay Lambusan, San Remigio in northern Cebu Tuesday night, February 7, 2023, that resulted in the death of a 72-year-old woman.

Larry Aballe, 52, and Jovanie Capada, 21, both construction workers, were arrested trying to flee the scene.

The victim was their neighbor, Fortunata Verdida Cortuna.

Lieutenant Colonel Windell Abellana, chief of the San Remigio Police Station, said Cortuna was rushed to the Provincial Hospital in Bogo City where she later died from her stab wounds.

According to their investigation, Aballe and Capada were having a drinking session prior to the robbery.

Abellana said Aballe entered the Cortuna house through a window while Capada remained in the back to serve as lookout.

Aballe was in Cortuna’s room about to steal her money and other belongings when the victim woke up and screamed for help.

Aballe stabbed her several times to try and silence her, but the ruckus had attracted the neighbors’ attention. They were able to shine a flashlight on Aballe as he tried to escape, which was they recognized him.

Abellana said they cornered the suspects with the help of force multipliers.

The police chief said Cortuna and her husband, who was sleeping in the next room when the incident happened, are well-off.

He said one of their children is the barangay captain while the others live abroad.

Abellana said Capada served as Aballe’s guide since the former was familiar with the house layout.

Abellana said Capada had broken into the house to steal P800 when he was a teen and was caught, but the victim forgave him. (GPL/PJB)