Public’s aid sought in bank robbery probe Reward in store for info leading to real suspects

The Department of Public Safety admitted Friday that police investigators are strapped for good leads in the probe of the City Trust Bank armed robbery, but DPS officials contradicted concerns that overtime cuts are hampering the speedy pace of the investigation.

Col. Franklin Babauta, the deputy commissioner for administration, assured that the Criminal Bureau of Investigation is closely following up on the case, despite a new DPS objective to reduce personnel overtime.

“The overtime [cuts] are not affecting the operations. At this time, we are manning the situation as much as we can. We’re pulling our resources together so we can maximize the efforts of what we’re going to do and we are still working on covering all the hours that we have to cover,” Babauta told reporters during a press conference held Friday.

The DPS official appealed for the public’s aid for clues that could lead to the arrest of the two perpetrators, who are still at large, as of press time.

“Right now, we don’t have any good leads. We are asking the community’s help. Give us tips or any information about this incident. We ask also that anything that they know of other robberies, to let us know,” the deputy commissioner pleaded.

The DPS’ Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 in reward for individuals who can share information leading to the real suspects.

Babauta disclosed that the CIB is trying to work on a re-enactment of the armed robbery incident at the City Trust Bank in Gualo Rai last April 12 in the hopes of uncovering more positive leads.

“We’re going to go back to the scene and reconstruct the incident and show the community, such as where the vehicle was parked, and what direction the suspects took,” said Babauta.

Bank employees told investigators earlier that they believe two male individuals, possibly local residents, perpetrated the armed robbery.

Babauta expressed confidence that the crime will be solved with aid from the community.

“We need the community’s help in solving some of the burglaries and homicides. if we want to be effective, we need the support of the general public in these areas,” echoed acting DPS commissioner Sandy Tudela.

The FBI is aiding local agents in the ongoing investigation, Babauta said.

“If we have a case like this, and we need their [the FBI’s] help, we will ask them so we can also see from their angle. If they can pick up the case and charge these guys also in their jurisdiction,” he added.

Police earlier confirmed that two fully-masked suspects robbed the Gualo Rai bank at gun point on a Friday afternoon and ran away with some cash.

The two, reportedly parked their getaway vehicle in the lower level parking of the J.E.T. Enterprises commercial building, used the stairs to get to the bank and came out of using the same route to return to their car.

Police said that the two men posed as bank customers—came in and exited the bank using the front and common entrance.