FIVE robbery suspects, including one tagged in the shooting death of a balikbayan on Sinulog eve, were arrested by police from Jan. 15 to Jan. 17.
Four of the suspects were presented by police to local media. But James Harold Barbero, the suspect in the robbery and murder of Juan Carlos Villordon, was in the hospital for gunshot wounds sustained in a hot-pursuit operation by police.
Barbero was arrested in barangay Tabunok, Talisay City, yesterday afternoon.
Villordon was shot down in Banilad, Cebu City, last Jan. 15, a few hours before the Sinulog Grand Parade.
The first to fall was 23-year-old Justin Tamara, who was pursued by police all the way near his home in barangay Ermita, Cebu City.
Tamara faces two complaints of carnapping in Cebu City last month.
Insp. Rolando Pinili, chief of the Theft and Robbery Section of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said Tamara also faced several robbery complaints in Cebu City.
Tamara’s alleged cohorts were arrested in barangay Sabang, Danao City, in northern Cebu, and in Talisay City, southern Cebu.
Ramil Batican was arrested in Danao City while Ronaldo Dindin and Marlon Hermoso were arrested in Talisay City.
All three were linked to the robbery of a 23-year-old woman in barangay Banilad, Mandaue City, last Jan. 12.
The robbery and ensuing shoot-out with police resulted in the wound of their companion Junie Karaat.
Taken from their possession were one .45 pistol, ammunition and a sachet believed to contain shabu.
Also recovered were one .22 revolver, two large sachets of suspected shabu and two cell phones.
A later raid of their hideout showed assorted drug paraphernalia, one digital camera, assorted wallets and bags.
Taken from Barbero were two .45 pistols and one hand grenade.
In yesterday’s press conference, Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Cebu provincial police chief, said charges of illegal possession of firearms and drugs will be filed against the five suspects. Correspondent Rhea Ruth V. Rosell