Man arrested for illegal guns after brief shootout with Pangasinan cops

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

DAGUPAN CITY — A 42-year-old man was arrested after a brief shootout with policemen in Mangatarem town in Pangasinan province.

Lawrence Jimenez Cruz sped off at 10:45 p.m., Wednesday (March 29), when a team of policemen approached his vehicle that was parked on a road shoulder in Barangay (village) Pogon-Lomboy.

Cruz fired at the policemen who gave chase, triggering a brief exchange of gunfire. Cruz then stopped his car and attempted to escape on foot, but he was cornered by pursuing policemen.

Found in his car were a rifle and suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride).

Police said Cruz had a standing arrest warrant for possessing unlicensed weapons, which was issued by Lucena City Regional Trial Court Judge Romeo Villanueva.  SFM