Gang member sued for 2nd heist

An alleged member of a notorious robbery gang targeting condominiums was slapped with another charge, this time for a P5.3-million break-in at businesswoman’s house in Quezon City.

Assistant city prosecutor Reuben Ritzuko Veradio recommended the filing of another case against Astropher Casanova, 36, reportedly a member of the Ryan Francisco group which had been linked to several burglaries in Metro Manila.

Casanova was arrested in San Juan City on Nov. 14 for a P1.5-million robbery that victimized Nenita Buan in Barangay West Kamias four days earlier.

In the new charge, Casanova was identified by businesswoman Leah Adongay as one of the three men who forced their way into her house in Barangay (village) San Roque on Sept. 30 and took some P5.3 million worth of cash and jewelry.

The 51-year-old Adongay alleged that the three men showed up at her door pretending to be looking for a female illegal recruiter before declaring the robbery and locking her up along with her two home companions in one of the bedrooms.

Casanova underwent inquest proceedings for the second case Monday afternoon. The city prosecutor’s office recommended a P120,000 bail for his provisional liberty. Julie M. Aurelio