MANILA, Philippines - 2 suspected members of the “Acetylene Gang” were arrested once they were caught tunneling into a pawnshop in Galas, Quezon town yesterday morning.
Reports received by Quezon town Police District (QCPD) director Chief Superintendent Mario dela Vega identified the suspects as Reggie Balbakwa, 32, and Brandon Paltek, 26, each of l. a. Trinidad, Benguet.
Four of their companions – together with their alleged leader, a particular James James – were ready to escape.
Reports from QCPD Station eleven state that stay-in cashier Regina Eden Magsanoc of Sunshine Pawnshop on Luzon Avenue referred to as up police to raise for facilitate. “I heard a noise within and once I checked out the CCTV cameras, I saw the suspects thus I referred to as up the police station,” she said.
Police officers responded and were ready to arrive early enough to catch Balbakwa and Paltek whereas they were still within the pawnshop. Seized from them were an acetylene tank, two saws, 2 chisels, a hand drill, a boltcutter, 2 crowbars, 2 headlamps, a screwdriver and therefore the P100,000 they allegedly stole.
Investigators said the suspects had been renting an apartment fifty meters faraway from the pawnshop for a month. They said the suspects dug a tunnel from their apartment to the ground of the pawnshop.