Motorcycle ‘thief’ slain in shootout with Isabela cops

CITY OF CAUAYAN, Isabela –– A man, who allegedly stole a motorcycle here, was gunned down during a reported shootout with policemen at dawn on Friday.

Police Col. Mariano Rodriguez, Isabela police director, identified the slain theft suspect as Noel Guzman of Ugac Sur in Tuguegarao City.

Recovered from Guzman were a Sniper motorcycle, a .45-caliber revolver, an empty shell, two sachets of suspected “shabu” (crystal meth), a driver’s license and assorted documents.

Rodriguez said Guzman stole the Sniper motorcycle of Armand Madriaga in Sitio Research in Minante 1 village and fled to nearby Nagrumbuan village.

Responding policemen managed to frisk the suspect, who then drew his gun and shot the lawmen, resulting in a gunfight.

The suspect was killed on the spot. Villamor Visaya Jr. /lzb