BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has identified the robbers involved in the P2.5-million jewelry heist in this city last weekend.  

The suspects, believed to be members of the Acetylene Gang, are from La Union province in Luzon, but the police refused to provide further details regarding their follow-up operation.

Prenda  Negrense Pawnshop and Jewelry Store, situated on Luzuriaga Street, is owned by the family of  hotel owner  Johnny Chua, who was gunned down in Bacolod while on board his vehicle in October last year.

The suspects also took P50,000 in cash but spared the watches in the display counter.

Employees of Golden Hope Trading Inc. (not Golden Palace as earlier reported) located beside the pawnshop found a hole between the two establishments Monday morning.

The robbers checked-in at an adjacent pension house to gain access to the store beside the pawnshop.

They disabled the alarm system connected to the pawnshop’s security firm, and left the acetylene tank and pliers they used during the heist.*NLG