Quezon City Police District (QCPD) operatives arrested a 21-year-old pawnshop appraiser accused of stealing jewelry and silver coins from a customer during a pawn transaction in Quezon City, police said.
In a statement, the QCPD said the suspect, identified only by the alias “Edmar,” was apprehended around 1 pm on May 9 inside a pawnshop along Kamias Road by personnel of Anonas Police Station 9.
The suspect, a resident of Barangay San Roque Murphy in Quezon City, reportedly worked as an appraiser at the establishment.
According to a report from Police Station 9 led by Police Lt. Col. Leonie Ann Dela Cruz, the complainant went to the pawnshop to have two gold rings, one cut earring, and 25 Silver Liberty Coins appraised.
Police said the suspect allegedly valued the items at P34,000 and processed the transaction.
However, the customer later noticed discrepancies after reviewing the acknowledgment receipt and reference photo of the submitted valuables. One gold ring and several silver coins were allegedly missing, prompting the complainant to alert the pawnshop’s security personnel and seek police assistance.
Responding officers immediately went to the area, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
Authorities said they recovered from the suspect a small ziplock bag containing nine Silver Liberty Coins and one gold ring believed to have been taken from the customer’s submitted items.
Further investigation also showed discrepancies in the weight indicated in the acknowledgment receipt issued by the suspect, police added.
The recovered items were later verified to be genuine 18-karat gold weighing 3.82 grams and Silver Liberty Coins weighing 623.35 grams.
Recovered evidence included nine Silver Liberty Coins, one gold ring weighing 1.3 grams, additional silver and commemorative coins, jewelry items, and one cut earring, with an estimated appraisal value of P34,000.
The suspect is set to face charges of theft and estafa before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
“I commend the personnel of PS-9 for their swift response to the complaint of concerned citizens, which led to the immediate apprehension of the suspect. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance, coordination, and prompt reporting in preventing crimes and protecting the public,” QCPD director Police Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio said.