5 injured in robbery and explosion at SM Bicutan

(Updated 10:52 p.m.) At least five people, including a three-year old boy, were injured in a grenade explosion after robbers made off with jewelry from a shop at SM City Bicutan in Parañaque City late Sunday, police said. One of the four suspects threw the grenade from the escalator of the third floor following the robbery at the Oro China Jewelry Shop, police said. The explosive landed on the first floor and exploded at 8 p.m. The robbers escaped with jewelry of still undetermined value, said Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome. Bartolome told GMANews.TV that the suspects were likely from the "Martilyo Gang" as a hammer, newly bought from a nearby hardware store, was used to break the glass encasing luxury merchandise in the jewelry shop. One of the suspects smashed the glass with the hammer, two others took the jewelry, and the fourth gang member threw the grenade as the group made its getaway, police said. Four women sustained minor injuries while a three-year-old boy who was playing at the amusement center of the shopping mall was struck by shrapnel on the head, according to radio dzBB. The victims also suffered abrasions on their hands and feet in the stampede following the blast.— DM/VS/HS, GMANews.TV