Thieves break into bank but fail to take anything

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Thieves broke into a Banco de Oro branch in Quezon City early Sunday but failed to steal anything as the alarm must have scared them off, police said Monday.

Chief Insp. Rodelio Marcelo, head of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, said the break-in at the BDO branch on Anonas Road was discovered after the alarm went off at 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

Marcelo said police were not allowed into bank, but bank officials informed them the vault as well as the money and other valuables in it were intact.

Anonas police station commander Supt. Richard Fiesta said his station was not linked to bank’s alarm and they were informed of the break-in some 30 minutes later.

The bank branch closed at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, after which it was locked and secured for the night, but no security guard posted on the premises.

Marcelo said the thieves gained entry into the bank by boring a hole in the roof and ceiling.

Fiesta said bank personnel reported a missing faucet and a broken pipe in the toilet, where water was gushing.

Policemen conducted an ocular inspection of the bank’s perimeter and found six .38-caliber bullets, a faucet and pipe, a screwdriver, a hammer, a tire wrench, a baton and a black pouch in the parking area.

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