Rob leader slain in Tondo

Police on early Saturday killed the alleged leader of a gang linked to a string of robberies in Manila and to the killing of a Navotas City policeman.

Jomer Cruz, 40, a Sputnik Gang member who escaped detention in February 2011, was shot dead at around 12:40 a.m. at the corner of Tomas Mapua and Antipolo Streets in Tondo.

SPO2 Glenzor Vallejo of the Manila Police District said the MPD earlier got a tip that Cruz was in the area waiting for a victim.

When cornered, Cruz drew a .38-cal. revolver and a hand grenade, prompting the officers to shoot him.

Vallejo said Cruz escaped last year from Rizal Provincial Jail and was also a suspect in the killing of PO2 Joel Magno of Navotas during a jeepney robbery in Sampaloc. Jeannette I. Andrade, Julliane de Jesus