Cops arrest man linked to P1.5-M home break-in in QC

MANILA, Philippines — A suspected member of a notorious robbery gang hitting on condominiums and homes was arrested Wednesday morning after being tagged in a recent P1.5 million break-in in Quezon City.

Senior Police Officer 4 Alan dela Cruz, theft and robbery section chief, tagged Astropher Casanova, 36 as a member of the Ryan Francisco group, which has been blamed for several heists in Metro Manila.

Francisco is detained in Pasay City for a similar case.

Casanova was arrested before 9 a.m. after leaving a court hearing of another burglary case he has been facing at the San Juan City Regional Trial Court.

His co-accused in that case include Francisco and three others.

Casanova was arrested after being positively identified by housemaid Norma Celis as among those who broke into the house of her employer, Nenita Buan, in Barangay West Kamias and carted away P1.5 million in valuables and jewelry.

Celis said Casanova even cocked a gun at her head after barging into the house where Buan’s cousin, Henry Cruz, had just finished installing some cabinets.

Cruz was about to leave with the maid unlocking the gate when three men pushed their way in and declared the robbery.

The two victims were locked inside a bathroom, with the door blocked by a refrigerator.

According to Celis, it was Casanova who even pushed the refrigerator to block the door.

The victims were able to force the door open 20 minutes later to find the master bedroom already ransacked.