Slain over a pair of shoes

A 32-year-old janitor was killed Friday in Quezon City by a snatcher who was after his rubber shoes.

Initial reports from the intelligence unit of the Central Police District (CPD) in Camp Karingal showed that Lolito de Guzman, of 1501 Instruccion Street, Sampaloc, Manila was standing at the corner of Araneta and E. Rodriguez Avenues at around 11:30 a.m. Friday when the suspect, only identified as a certain Edwin, suddenly appeared from behind.

The suspect immediately grabbed De Guzman’s hair and punched him in the throat. The victim collapsed from the hard blow, police said.

Witnesses told Police Officer 2 Joseph Carlos Madrid, officer-on-case, that right after De Guzman fell, the suspect took the victim’s Reebok rubber shoes and ran away.

De Guzman was brought to the nearby hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

According to police, the suspect’s identity was learned through several witnesses, who claimed Edwin is a known snatcher in the area.

Police are conducting follow-up operations for the arrest of the suspect. – Katherine Araneda