The cosmetics store robbery in barangay Tabunok, Talisay City where a security guard was killed was the first in recent years that robbers used a stun gun, the city’s chief of police, Supt. Reycel Carmelo Dayon, said yesterday.
Dayon said they are still trying to identify the robbers who struck the Avon Beauty Center outlet last Thursday killing the lone security guard, Ramil Bono, 44.
One of the two robbers used a stun gun to try to immobilize Bono, but the guard still managed to pull out his service firearm to resist.
The robber got hold of the gun during the scuffle and shot the guard twice.
Stun guns, which use electric shock to immobilize a target, are being sold on line. One website offers it with a flashlight combination for P349.
The device is marketed as a tool for self defense.
In Thursday’s heist, it was used to attack a security guard.
Dayon said police are having a hard time identifying the robbers as the CCTV footage is not clear.
Talisay police will coordinate with counterparts in Cebu City and Mandaue City to check if the robbers that hit several LBC outlets there were the same parties involved in the Avon robbery.
Dayon and Talisay City Councilor Danny Caballero yesterday inspected the Avon shop. The company complied with security requirements, but needs to upgrade its CCTV camera, said Dayon.
Dayon said the physical features of the perpetrators, who wore ball caps to partly cover their faces, matched those of the suspects in the robbery of La Nueva in barangay Basak and Three Sixty Pharmacy in barangay Bulacao, Cebu City.
“Installing a high quality CCTV camera is one of the best things a businessman could contribute in preventing or helping solve a crime,” Caballero said.
The Avon shop resumed operations yesterday. Rowena Porter, the manager, said they are considering hiring two guards.
Carlos Dayrit, general operations manager, said they are processing Bono’s insurance benefit so it can be released to his family soon. Employees pooled cash to give to the family.
Bono had guarded the shop for 12 years.