Cops get call about hardware store heist as suspects pass by

Three armed men made the mistake of passing by the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 3 at past noon yesterday just after personnel from a hardware store called up to report a robbery and provide a description of the suspects.

Station commander Superintendent Alex Sintin said police officers tailed the suspects, who were on a motorcycle cruising along Quirino Highway.

He said the suspects shot at the pursuing lawmen, led by Inspector Angelo Nicolas. Two of the suspects, one identified as Maximo Aquino Jr., were hit during the ensuing gunbattle.

The remaining suspect escaped with an undetermined amount of money stolen from the McLain Lumberyard and Hardware.

Sintin said one of the suspects lobbed a hand grenade at the policemen, but the device did not explode. A .38 caliber revolver was recovered from one of the slain suspects.                    – Reinir Padua