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MANILA, Philippines — A former police officer who allegedly robbed a cash remittance shop in Quezon City early this week was arrested Thursday in Apalit, Pampanga.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) reported this Friday and identified the suspect as former Patrolman Dennis Marucut.
QCPD investigation indicated that the incident happened on November 9 at a Palawan Express establishment in Barangay Del Monte. Police described the suspect as a medium-built man who is about 5’6 ” tall, was wearing the new official Philippine National Police (PNP) pixelized uniform, and using a blue motorcycle when he entered the shop and declared the heist.
Through the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the area, shop personnel positively identified the police officer as the suspect, QCPD Station 2’s officers confirmed that the suspect is Marucut.
Records from the PNP showed that Marucut was last assigned at the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) in Pampanga, but was declared absent without official leave (AWOL) in 2020.
QCPD Station 2 personnel conducted a hot pursuit operation, and successfully arrested Marucut along the portion of the Mc Arthur Highway in Apalit, Pampanga, at around 10:00 a.m. on November 11.
Authorities said they recovered an orange Honda Beat motorcycle which ownership was being verified, a hand grenade, and a .9mm caliber Llama pistol from the suspect.
According to QCPD, a string of cases for illegal possession of firearm and robbery would be lodged against Marucut before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
In a statement, QCPD Director Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra lauded the police’s efforts to apprehend the suspect.
“Ipagpapatuloy ng ating mga kapulisan ang ating mas pinaigting na operasyon kontra sa kriminalidad at ang pagbabantay sa lansangan lalung-lalo na sa mga lugar kadalasang target sa pagnanakaw,” Yarra said.
Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office Director Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. ordered intensified anti-crime measures as the holiday season nears.
“Mas paiigtingin natin ang ating seguridad lalung-lalo na at paparating ang kapaskuhan kung saan inaasahan natin ang mga ganitong uri ng insidente,” Danao said.