Snatcher slain in Makati shootout

MANILA, Philippines - A jeepney barker who snatched an off-duty policeman’s gold bracelet was killed when he shot it out with pursuing lawmen in Makati City Tuesday afternoon, city police chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban said yesterday.

According to initial reports, Police Officer 2 Allan Francisco was attending to his family-owned tire supply shop when suspect Bernardo Velasco, 25, pretended to be a customer, snatched Francisco’s gold bracelet and ran toward a motorcycle driven by an unidentified accomplice.

Francisco, armed with a pistol, chased the suspect, who shot at him with a .38 caliber revolver.

Velasco fell off the motorcycle driven by his accomplice. The commotion attracted the attention of police officers at a nearby precinct, who also chased him. He engaged the police officers in a shootout at the corner of Dallas and Evangelista streets.

Velasco was declared dead on arrival at the Pasay City General Hospital. 

Police officers said they recovered Velasco’s revolver, which did not have a serial number. It was not reported whether they recovered Francisco’s gold bracelet.