Unknown person robs, kills Cebu City florist
A FLORIST was robbed and stabbed to death before dawn yesterday inside his shop in Sitio Sikatuna, Barangay Day-as in Cebu City.
The body of Daniel “Jun” Cañete, owner of JMC Wedding Creations, was found by a female employee who arrived around 7 a.m. in his rented studio-type apartment, which also served as his flower shop. Ivy Medalle was the one who called the police.
Cañete, 45, was stabbed in the abdomen several times. Bruises were found on his arms.
The police have yet to identify a suspect.
Theft and Robbery Section (TRS) Chief David Señor said Cañete lost two laptops, two cellular phones and P250,000 in cash.
Questioned
The police invited a 16-year-old boy for questioning but he was later released.
Mark Stephen, 21, Cañete’s oldest son, said the victim had no enemies.
The Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office was the first to respond to the alarm but turned over the case to the TRS upon learning that the victim was robbed.
Señor said the victim’s bruises indicated that he tried to defend himself against his attacker.
Cañete, a native of Pagadian City, rented a unit at VR Apartment, which serves as his shop and home.
Unlocked
Medalle told Sun. Star Cebu that when she arrived at the shop, she called out to Daniel but there was no answer. She said she used her spare key to enter but she realized that the door was already unlocked.
When she entered the shop, she said, she saw Daniel’s body on the floor in a pool of blood.
Medalle said her coworker, Hernani Timtim, arrived shortly.
Señor said the police are still looking for a nearby security camera that can show who entered Cañete’s shop. He said the crime may have occurred late Sunday night or before dawn.
Scream
He said the florist’s next-door neighbors said they heard a scream but they thought Daniel was having a party.
Serafina Alimiñe, a street sweeper, told the police that about 3 a.m. she saw a man sitting outside the flower shop. She did not see his face, however.
Mark Stephen told the police that last Saturday, his father got paid P150,000 for three wedding packages.
Señor said the victim’s son told them that it was Daniel’s habit to deposit his earnings Monday.