Quezon City spa heist has suspect apologizing

A man inquiring about the services of a Quezon City spa turned out to be after something other than relaxation.

An armed Manuel Taguin allegedly entered the Paint & Pretty Nail Spa on Matatag Street in Barangay (village) Pinyahan Thursday night, pretending to ask about its services on behalf of his wife.

He then left and came back after a few minutes, this time to announce a holdup, according to Supt. Limuel Obon, commander of the Quezon City Police District’s Kamuning station,

Obon said Taguin, whose last known address is in Rodriguez, Rizal province, was previously linked to a bus robbery. The spa’s employees recognized him in photos shown by investigators.

The five people inside the spa at the time were forced to give him P17,240 cash, four cell phones, a Casio wristwatch, credit cards, ATM cards and other IDs, the officer said.

Obon said the man was heard apologizing to the victims, claiming he was only doing it for his son. Before fleeing, the suspect forced the victims into a cubicle.—Julie M. Aurelio