Mob beats up, shoots 2 tire theft suspects

MANILA, Philippines - Two suspected tire thieves were beaten up and shot after angry residents of Barangay Veterans in Quezon City reportedly caught them stealing the spare tire of a parked vehicle before dawn yesterday.

Masambong police station commander Superintendent Osmundo de Guzman said Wilfredo Prieto, 32, and Rene Manatad, 32, are confined at the Quezon City General Hospital.

Police said Victor Marcela, 64, a resident of Narig street, was roused from sleep at around 3:30 a.m. by his maid, who allegedly saw the suspects stealing the spare tire of Marcela’s delivery van, which was parked outside their gate.

The maid’s cries for help awakened the victim’s neighbors, who went out of their houses to see what was happening.

At this point, one of the suspects shot at the crowd while attempting to flee on board their getaway vehicle, a passenger jeepney plying the Quiapo-Divisoria route (TVK-740).

Barangay watchmen went after the suspects and cornered them a few blocks away. By the time the suspects were turned over to the police, the suspects had been beaten and shot.

Police officers said they have yet to establish who beat up and shot the victims. A .38 caliber revolver was found under the jeepney’s driver’s seat.

Investigators are tracking down a third suspect, identified only as “Nilo,” who escaped.