2 alleged thieves killed in shootout with police

MANILA, Philippines—Two suspected thieves who had just broken into an office were killed in what police said was a firefight with policemen who saw them loading their loot into a getaway tricycle Monday night in Quezon City.

However, one of their accomplices was able to run away just before the shootout on 4th Street in Barangay (village) Mariana, New Manila.

Senior Superintendent Richard Albano, Quezon City Police District director, said patrolling policemen from the Galas station chanced upon the thieves who had just broken into a nearby office at around 11:55 p.m.

“The suspects were spotted by our men as they were about to load the items into a galvanized tricycle with no license plate. They were apparently about to escape,” the official told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a phone interview.

The policemen were about to accost the trio when the driver of the tricycle sensed them and sped off. His two cohorts were left behind and fired at the lawmen, who then fired back, according to Galas police station commander Superintendent Norberto Babagay.

One of the slain suspects was between 25 and 30 years old, 5’4″ tall, fair-skinned with tattoos on the left shoulder and wore a blue shirt and shorts. The other was around 30 to 35 years old, 5’6″ tall, with the words “Alex 32 Advento” tattooed on his back, and was clad in a blue jacket and jeans.

Some of the stolen items were left behind at the crime scene as the men were unable to finish loading their loot. These were: one black computer CPU, one computer LCD monitor, one wireless camera, one wifi router, one back-up UPS, among others.

Babagay noted that they also found hardware tools, such as two door knobs, two level bars, one silicon gun, one screen door closer, and a five-piece hole saw set.

The items were believed to be stolen from an office on 4th Street earlier that night.

Babagay said the office was formerly a house owned by businessman Boy Pantoja, now leased and converted into an office.

The official learned that the office had been burglarized at least three times but the lessee reportedly expressed disinterest in pursuing the burglars.

Case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Gregorio Maramag said both the suspects died on the spot from gunshot wounds in their faces.

Police also recovered two caliber .38 revolvers, one loaded with four bullets and one spent shell from the suspects.

Albano said the operatives will be commended for their accomplishment in next week’s flag raising ceremony.