ILOILO CITY -– Police authorities filed multiple charges against a 19-year-old serial hold-upper Tuesday, June 7, based on four counts to include violation of the Commission on Elections gun ban, four counts of robbery hold-ups, illegal possession of firearm, and malicious mischief.
Velmar Papelera, a native of Cabugao, Lambunao, Iloilo but residing at Libertad Street, Jaro district, was caught armed with a .38 cal revolver by responding policemen led by Police Inspector Jojo Tabaloc of the Mandurriao Police Station after a botched hold-up at the parking area of SM City in Mandurriao last Sunday, June 5.
According to the suspect, it was his fourth try to prey on women with children in tow because they are the easiest to fall. His latest victim and her young son fought back that caught the attention of security guards at the parking area. The guards immediately called for police assistance.
Papelera admitted that his first try was committed last May 4 at the parking area of Robinsons Place in the city proper where he, wearing a surgical mask, got P5,000 from a mall shopper. The second try was on May 18 at the same parking area where he got P10,000 from the businesswoman who withdrew money an ATM machine.
The third incident was at the SM City Mandurriao parking lot, the same area where police finally caught up with him on his fourth try.
Papelera claimed he was working as a bagger at the Robinsons Place but was fired last April due to a complaint from a customer at the supermarket area. He said he wanted to kill his store manager but found out that it is easy to conduct a hold-up among women with children shopping at the mall.