Thieves caught right after covering security camera

MANILA, Philippines—Instead of avoiding arrest, four thieves only hastened their capture when they covered the lens of a security camera of an establishment they tried to break into early Friday, police said.

Unknown to the burglars, the owner of the shop was still awake and noticed the screen of the security monitor going blank and immediately called the police and barangay (village) watchmen.

Arrested by members of the Novaliches police station were Ramil Atencio, 37; Danilo Laxamana, 63; Roberto Tolentino Sr., 49; and Emmanuel Reyes, 41.

Atencio is from Tala in Caloocan City while the other suspects are from Novaliches.

Quezon City Police District director Senior Supt. Richard Albano said the suspects were reported members of the “bolt cutter gang.”

The attempted break-in happened at the Hard Off Trading and Tire Sales Inc. on Quirino Highway in Barangay Bagbag.