POLICE filed on Monday, November 11, theft and malicious mischief against the suspect who carted away around P8 million worth of jewelry and P500,000 cash from Palawan Pawnshop in Carmen branch, Cagayan de Oro City.
The suspect, identified as John Paul Cruz, 26, a resident of Barangay Lumbia, was arrested on Sunday, November 10, barely 24 hours after the incident.
Investigators said Cruz was the former manager of the said branch from 2018 until September, before he was terminated for "money issues."
Police Senior Master Sergeant Jason Landar, Police Station 4 investigator, said Cruz is the only person who knows how to open the vault and the branch's alarm system, making him the only person of interest at the start of the investigation.
"Siya ang nakabalo sa mga kandado sa vault nga kung tan-awon nimo, maglisod gyud ka ato kay naa sa sulod ang mga kandado," he said.
"Tanan stay-in nga trabahante ato nga time, nag-practice sila ug sayaw para sa ilang Christmas party, so walay nabilin. Ang naka-apan pud sa current nga branch manager, iya ra kuno ginasunod ang procedure nga ang yawe sa vault ibutang ra sa hagdanan, mao ray naandan so nakahibalo gyud ni si John Paul," Landar added.
Landar said all stolen jewelries were recovered, however, only P319,300 was retrieved by police out of the P580,000.
He said Cruz allegedly gave three bundles of cash to a "habal-habal" motorcycle driver. He used the habal-habal as a getaway vehicle. Cruz, meanwhile, said he did not know the driver.
"Ang iyang rason nga nangawat siya kay dili daw siya gusto molarga iyang asawa, financial problem," he said.
Landar said Cruz's wife also urged him to surrender.
Cruz refused to give his comment to the media.