Cops kill 3 car thieves

Three suspected members of a big notorious car theft syndicate were killed after shooting it out with pursuing members of the Metro Traffic Management Group (TMG) yesterday afternoon in Valenzuela City.

Chief Inspector Ferdinand Villanueva, NCR-TMG chief, identified one of the suspects by his SSS ID as Tomas Sta. Maria, 35 to 40 years old, apparently a former overseas contract worker as indicated by another identification card (OWWA) found in his pocket, and a native of Kias, Loakan, Baguio City. The other two suspects remained unidentified at presstime and were described by Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) medico-legal officer Chief Inspector Filemon Porciuncula, who led the processing of the crime scene, as in their 30s. He said the three died from several gunshot wounds in the head and body. Recovered from the slain suspects were three caliber .38 revolvers and a hand grenade.

Villanueva said the encounter took place at around 2 p.m. yesterday as they tailed a gray Toyota LiteAce (PTU-323), reported to be stolen last March 22 this year, as it traveled along Tatalon Street in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela heading toward Quirino Highway in Caloocan and Quezon City. The officer said they flagged the vehicle down but the three occupants allegedly opened fire prompting them to retaliate. No one among the policemen were hurt or killed in the shootout. A follow-up investigation is underway.