Two backhoe operators caught stealing shoes during Cebu mall fire

CEBU CITY – Two backhoe operators were arrested by Ayala Center Cebu security guards who caught them stealing shoes at the Metro Department Store at the Ayala Center while firefighters were working to put out the blaze at the mall on Saturday morning.

Security guard Revimelfe Serenas said he saw the two men – identified as Arnel Villarta, 39, and Edwin Sarabia, 49,  – after a responding team of firefighters broke a wall of the mall.

Sarabia and Villarta denied the allegation, saying they were just trying on the shoes.

The two were detained at the police station in Barangay Mabolo in Cebu City. –Benjie Talisic /atm