Davao pawnshops eyed as fences for stolen goods

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—The local police have placed some pawnshops under surveillance after a robbery suspect confessed he sold stolen items to one of the establishments.

Senior Superintendent Ronald Dela Rosa, Davao City city police chief, said that while the suspect, who was arrested in connection with a recent robbery in Central Park Subdivision, identified only one pawnshop, the police believe that such establishments were also into buying stolen items.

“It’s a regular seller-buyer relationship,” he said.

He said the pawnshops the police had placed under surveillance include those in the Talomo district and in the downtown area.

Dela Rosa said the police have found out that robbers sell the stolen items themselves to the pawnshops. The irony, he added, was that pawnshop owners were not cooperating with the police despite the robber’s confession.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said the police have noted an increase in the number of minors involved in thefts and robberies although he did not give figures for comparison.

“These children are improving on their craft because of experience”, Dela Rosa said.

He said juveniles always walk away from charges because of the law that prohibits minors from being prosecuted criminally.

“We cannot do anything. We arrest… then release them. These juveniles would even show their birth certificates upon arrest”, Dela Rosa said.