Fernando de la Mora: Employees restrain man accused of trying to steal nursery’s cash

Employees at a plant nursery in Fernando de la Mora restrained a man after allegedly finding him searching a cash box containing the day’s takings.

Police said the incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. at Deco 8 Plants on Fulgencio Yegros Street. The suspect allegedly entered while an employee served a customer, then went into an office and inspected a box in a corner.

One employee noticed him inside the office. When asked why he was there, the man allegedly could not explain his presence and then tried to flee. Workers stopped him and called police, who arrested him.

Authorities identified the suspect as 30-year-old Osvaldo César Villanueva. According to the police report, he has 11 prior records dating from 2011 to 2026, including allegations involving theft, attempted aggravated theft and aggravated robbery.

The nursery owner provided security-camera footage showing the man entering the premises and moving toward the office. Police did not say how much money the cash box held or whether Villanueva took anything. Prosecutor Jessika Verocay ordered that he remain available to the Public Prosecutor’s Office while the investigation continues.