Police to monitor mall goers buying hardware tools

NCRPO director Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina

MANILA, Philippines—Police will monitor mall goers in Metro Manila who will buy hardware tools that can be used to pull off a robbery,  National Capital Region Police Office chief, Director Leonardo Espina, said Friday.

“Those who will buy pipe wrench, hammer—those that can be used for smashing will be monitored,” Espina said.

The police chief, however, refused to give details as to how the “monitoring” will be done, but added that the public should not fear the operation if they are not planning to do anything illegal.

Several men robbed the F and C Jewelry store located on the ground floor of SM Megamall’s building B at around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The pipe wrench used by the suspects to break the glass jewellery case was allegedly bought in a hardware store inside the mall.

The robbers fired shots to trigger panic as they make their escape.

“This is a group. Not a big one,” Espina said. “We promise you that.”

He said cases will be filed against the suspects on Monday.

Security around and inside SM Megamall has been tightened in the wake of the heist.