Burglar gets trapped in pawnshop he was robbing

Breaking in was easy. Getting out was another thing entirely.

Authorities arrested a 25-year-old man in Cebu City who failed to get out of a pawnshop and remittance center that he had forcibly entered.

According to a 24 Oras report by Fe Marie Dumaboc of GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak, suspect Juanito Branzuela Dilvo Jr. was able to break into the establishment on Wednesday night after climbing out of a hole he made on the ceiling.

However, a resident in Barangay Labangon noticed and reported the robbery.

"May [kumalampag] sa loob. Sabi ko, hindi ito gawa ng hayop, tao ang nasa loob kasi ang lakas ng kalampag," the resident said.

(There was a loud noise inside. I told myself, that wasn't made by an animal. A person did it because of how loud it was.)

Dilvo said he was unable to escape when the shop's alarm sounded.

"Sinubukan niyang makalabas kaya pinilit niyang sirain ang bubong dahil nahirapan siyang bumalik sa kaniyang dinaanan," said Police Major Angelito Valleser, chief of the Labangon police station.

Authorities surrounded the area, making sure that Dilvo would not be able to flee the crime scene.

"Humihingi ako ng tawad sa aking nagawa," said Dilvo.

(I asked for forgiveness over what I had done.)

Recovered from Dilvo were a .38-cal. pistol, a grenade, and over P5,000 which he attempted to steal from the shop.

The pawnshop and remittance center management have yet to issue a statement as of posting time. — Sherilyn Untalan/ VDV, GMA Integrated News