By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A robber was arrested after he was trapped inside a department store at Barangay 3 in Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City on Tuesday morning, August 29.

Authorities arrested 26-year-old Ariel Baring, a resident of Sitio Ibwal in the city’s Barangay Punao.

According to city police, at 8:05 a.m. on Tuesday, while personnel of JHT Department Store were opening their shop, they heard a noise inside the establishment.

Upon opening, they found Baring inside the store.

The store’s security guard immediately nabbed the suspect, while the other employees contacted the police.

A vault cutter was recovered from the suspect as well as seven cellular phone units, four tablets, seven chargers, three earphones, two backpacks, a flashlight, a sling bag, a solar lamp, a small speaker, and P3,200 cash.

A police investigation showed Baring was able to break into the establishment on Monday night, August 28.

When he tried to leave with his loot, he was unable to destroy the doorlocks, thus trapping him inside.

Meanwhile, Baring has admitted the robbery, saying he was planning to exchange his loot for illegal drugs.

He is now facing robbery charges and was detained at the police station./DGB, WDJ