‘I only had P40 in wallet,’ claims janitor nabbed for QC condo rob

The janitor who was allegedly behind a string of robberies in a condominium complex in Old Balara, Quezon City, said he only had P40 in his wallet when he was nabbed by policemen on Wednesday.

Ariel Buenavista, 34, who was arrested on suspicion that he had stolen over P12 million in cash and valuables from at least four condominium units of Manors Celebrity Place Condominium Complex since October, denied he had anything to do with the robbery.

“I would never do that. I just want to work. When I was arrested, I only had P40 in my wallet. The money was for my transportation fare and for food,” the janitor said.

“If I had the money they said I stole, why should I be still working there? I would leave and enjoy the money. But I am still working there and it’s been four years now,” he said.

He also pointed out that he had been working in the condominium complex for the last four years, but the robbery incidents began only last year.

Senior Police Officer 4 Allan de la Cruz, head of the theft and robbery section of the Quezon City Police District, said Buenavista underwent inquest proceedings on Wednesday evening.

The inquest official had recommended a further investigation of the case, De la Cruz added.

De la Cruz said the investigation would continue, and at the moment, only the testimony of a witness was the basis for the suspect’s arrest.

In the police report, the head of the complex security personnel claimed seeing Buenavista rushing as he left the building complex carrying a black jewelry box before boarding a taxicab on Monday.

But Buenavista denied this.

“If he saw me carry a box, then he should have stopped me and should have taken me in his custody,” he said.