Bank heist foiled in Ozamis City, four suspects nabbed

MANILA, Philippines – A daring bank heist was foiled in Ozamis City on Monday, and four suspects were arrested by local authorities, a police official said Tuesday.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said that his men and members of the 10th Regional Public Service Battalion were able to prevent the suspects from robbing a Metrobank branch at around 2 p.m. in Ozamis City. They nabbed the four robbers who allegedly belonged to a notorious heist group , he added.

Pagdilao said that the authorities arrested the gang’s leader Jimmy Parami, 43, and his companions Rolando Sapnoy, 36, Niel Ranin, 35, and Dullie Jul, 25. He said that the suspects were believed to be members of the Alterez robbery group who have been responsible for a series of robbery incidents in Region 10.

Senior Superintendent Noli Romana, chief of the 10th Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (RCIDU) said that the suspects, driving a Nissan Pathfinder (UGG 984), were chased and captured by the police.

Romana said that they received information that the suspects were near the bank. He explained that checkpoints were placed near the bank.

Confiscated from the suspects were one Colt M16 rifle with four magazines, and 50 live ammunition rounds, a bandolier, and one caliber .45 pistol with magazines and live ammunition rounds as well.

Pagdilao said that the suspects have been charged with illegal possession of firearms.