DAVAO CITY – Police have scored a major breakthrough in the investigation into the burglary of a gadget store in Toril, Davao City after arresting three suspects, recovering dozens of expensive iPhones, and identifying the remaining members of the criminal group allegedly responsible for a series of gadget store robberies across Mindanao.
The latest development came just over a week after authorities launched an extensive manhunt for the suspects behind the June 24 burglary of RAD Gadgets in Toril, where approximately 100 iPhones and cash were stolen during a daring pre-dawn break-in.
Toril Police Station commander Police Major Sheryl Bautista presented the recovered mobile phones during a press briefing, describing the arrests and recovery as a significant step toward dismantling the organized group.
Couple Arrested at Iligan Checkpoint
Arrested on July 1 were a married couple identified only by their aliases Noranisah, 37, and Khalil, 33.
The two were intercepted during a police checkpoint operation conducted by the Iligan City Mobile Force Company at the Triton Border Control Point in Barangay Suarez, Iligan City.
Authorities said the checkpoint arrest stemmed from an intensified hot pursuit operation launched immediately after the Toril burglary.
Police have since identified six other members of the alleged robbery group, all of whom remain at large.
Receiver of Stolen Phones Also Nabbed
In a separate operation, police also arrested a businessman identified only by the alias Khalid, the owner of a gadget shop in Marawi City.
Investigators alleged that Khalid knowingly purchased and resold stolen iPhones taken during the robbery.
He is facing charges for violating the Anti-Fencing Law, which penalizes individuals who knowingly acquire, possess, or sell property obtained through theft or robbery.
During the operation in Marawi City, authorities recovered 26 iPhone units of various models believed to have originated from the criminal group’s activities.
Investigators are still conducting inventory and verification procedures to determine whether the recovered units include those stolen from RAD Gadgets in Toril as well as another gadget store in Tagum City.
Same Group Linked to Tagum Heist
Police disclosed that the same criminal group is also being linked to another gadget store burglary in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, committed only hours after the Toril robbery on June 24.
The coordinated attacks have led investigators to believe the suspects were carrying out a well-planned operation targeting high-value gadget stores across the region.
Authorities said CCTV footage from both crime scenes captured members of the group during the commission of the crimes, providing investigators with crucial evidence that eventually led to the identification of the suspects.
Police added that the group used a van as their getaway vehicle after each operation.
Value of Loot Reassessed
Based on the latest police findings, authorities now estimate that the group carted away approximately 100 brand-new and second-hand iPhone units and cash from RAD Gadgets, with the total value of the stolen property reaching around ₱2.8 million.
This updated estimate is significantly higher than the initial police assessment released days after the burglary, which placed the losses at approximately ₱1.85 million, including 101 iPhones and ₱24,500 in cash.
Investigators have yet to explain the discrepancy, although the reassessment appears to have been based on a more comprehensive inventory conducted during the continuing investigation.
Charges Filed
Police said criminal charges are scheduled to be filed on July 3 against the arrested suspects in connection with the Toril robbery.
Meanwhile, operations remain underway to locate and arrest the six remaining members of the group, who are still at large.
Despite the arrests, the suspects have reportedly denied involvement in the crimes.
Authorities continue to appeal to the public for information that could lead to the capture of the remaining fugitives and the recovery of the rest of the stolen mobile phones.
The investigation remains ongoing as police work to determine the full extent of the group’s operations and whether they may be connected to other unsolved gadget store burglaries in Mindanao.