Suspected thief says breakup with partner drove him to rob pawnshop in Cebu City

Police arrested an alleged robber who was trapped inside a pawnshop in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City on early Thursday morning, December 14, 2023. | Emmariel Ares

CEBU CITY, Philippines — After his common law partner ended their relationship, a 25-year-old man decided to rob a pawnshop in Cebu City on Thursday morning, December 14, 2023, to provide money for their two young kids.

Residents along the Natalio Bacalso Avenue in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City were disturbed early Thursday morning when police personnel arrived in the area to respond to an alleged robbery.

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Thief trapped in pawnshop identified

Upon the arrival of authorities in the area, it was found that a man, who was believed to be a thief, was trapped inside a pawnshop. 

The suspect was identified as 25-year-old Juanito Branzuela Dilvo Jr., a construction worker and a native of Agusan Del Sur.

Dilvo was reportedly living with his parents in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

After Dilvo was arrested, he confessed that he committed the act while under the influence of shabu.

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Why he robbed pawnshop

In an interview with local media, Dilvo said that he only wanted to use the money to provide for his children.

Dilvo said that his common law partner separated from him 6 months ago because of his bad habits and his inability to provide for the needs of their two children aged 2 and 4-years-old. 

Because of this, Dilvo claimed that he was at a loss on what to do and decided to loot a pawnshop after observing various business establishments in the area.

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How he entered pawnshop

According to Dilvo, he first used shabu for courage before he decided to climb inside the store by destroying the roof and climbing in through a gap in the ceiling at around 3:00 a.m.

Dilvo brought with him a hand grenade he claimed to have found elsewhere as a weapon for defense. However, he said that he did not know how to use the grenade.

The suspect also found a .38 caliber revolver used by the pawnshop’s security guard inside the establishment. Dilvo told reporters that he noticed that the guard would always leave his gun at the pawnshop after closing.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, Deputy Director for Operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said that Dilvo used the revolver to knock around the cabinets in the dark aiming to open them.

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Suspected thief trapped inside

Rafter said that Dilvo accidentally hit a water pipe which caused water to flow into the shop.

Despite this, Dilvo allegedly continued to search around the establishment for hours hoping to find more cash to steal. The suspect ultimately found P5,900 cash, according to Rafter.

At around 6:00 a.m., a concerned citizen reported to police about suspicious activity in the area after hearing noises coming from inside the pawnshop.

Rafter said that a patrol car from the Labangon Police Station was doing rounds near the area and immediately responded to the report.

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Convinced to surrender peacefully

Upon the arrival of policemen along with Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat), they confronted the man who was found to be trapped inside the pawnshop for hours.

The alleged robber said that he was not able to leave because he found it difficult to go out through the destroyed roof.

Dilvo told reporters that he also gave up after he noticed that there were police waiting for him outside the door and even at the roof.

Rafter said that police negotiated with the suspected thief and attempted to convince him to surrender peacefully. Dilvo, however, responded by pointing the gun at himself. 

But after some time, an officer managed to pacify Dilvo who then agreed to give himself up.

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Suspected thief brought hand grenade

Authorities conducted a body search on Dival after he surrendered and found the hand grenade that he brought with him. They also recovered the .38 caliber revolver that he allegedly used in the crime.

According to Rafter, Dilvo admitted during the interview that he previously committed a robbery that he was not caught for. He also said that he was in jail for a month for possession of illegal drugs but was released on bail.

Rafter further said that the arrest of Dilvo was challenging because he was carrying a firearm and could hurt individuals in the area.

Police Colonel Ireneo B. Dalogdog, CCPO director, for his part, expressed his gratitude to the concerned citizen who reported the incident and commended the police officers who provided a swift response.

“Magpasalamat ta sa katong mga tawhana, kung kinsa man to sila, nga nagsumbong sa atong mga kapulisan sa police station. And of course, sa atong mga kapulisan, Police Station 10 personnel, gusto pud nako sila icommend są immediate ug swift nga pagsulbad sa maong robbery incident didto sa ilahang area of responsibility,” said Dalogdog.

(We thank those people, whoever they are, who reported this to our policemen of the police station. And of course, to the policemen, Police Station 10 personnel, we also would like to commend them for the immediate and swift resolution of that robbery incident there which is under their area of responsibility.)

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Robbery charges

The city director also instructed police personnel to continue their monitoring of suspicious individuals especially during the yuletide season. 

Dalogdog said that this incident would show that it would be necessary for business establishments to have the contact numbers of police stations in order for them to immediately report untoward incidents like this.

As of this writing, the suspected thief, Dilvo, is detained at the Labangon Police Station pending for the filing of appropriate charges against him. 

According to Rafter, charges of robbery, possession of firearms and explosives will be filed against him. 

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