End of the road for taxi robbers

Two men tagged in the series of robberries on taxis in Pandacan in Manila fell into the hands of the police the other day.

Pandacan police station commander Senior Superintendent Ramon de Jesus said the suspects, identified as Hernando Legare, 33, alias Pando, of 1966 Kahilum 2, Pandacan, and a 17-year-old were arrested at noon in Kahilum 2 after surveillance and monitoring operations were conducted by the police.

The suspects held up three cab drivers in the last three Sundays in Pandacan. One of the victims was stabbed dead by the suspects, police said.

Police said that in all three incidents, the suspects were passengers and held up the driver upon reaching dark alleys.

De Jesus, alarmed by the series of holdup incidents, ordered his men to conduct surveillance and monitoring operations in Kalihim I, II and Legare streets in Pandacan, which police assets pointed to as the hideout of the suspects.

At around 11 a.m. the other day, a concerned citizen spotted the suspects, who were roaming around Kahilum 2, and reported them to the police.

Pandacan police operatives immediately responded to the area and arrested the minor, who was armed with a caliber .38 revolver.

During interrogation, the minor admitted to police his participation in the series of holdup incidents and promised to cooperate for the apprehension of his cohorts.

Arresting police officers went back to the area and arrested Legare, who was armed with a 9 mm pistol.

Police continue to conduct surveillance and monitoring operations to arrest the remaining suspects. – Edu Punay