Pawnshop employee robbed, shot dead in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - A female employee of a pawnshop was shot dead as she resisted two  motorcycle-riding robbers Thursday morning in Makati City.

Reports reaching the Southern Police District identified the victim as Racquel Ricafrenete, 21, a floating appraiser of the Tambunting Pawnshop located at Einhoven St. in Barangay Palanan.

According to reports, Ricafrente was walking along Dian St. at about 11 a.m. on her way to the BPI  branch on the same street  when the suspects cut her off at the corner of Calatagan St.

Police said Ricafrente was about to deposit an undetermined amount of cash contained in a black bag.

According to police, the suspects, who were both wearing full crash helmets, shot Ricafrente as she resisted the robbery. After she was shot, the suspects, grabbed her bag and sped away onboard the motorcycle without a license plate.

Police said Ricafrente died on the spot after being shot three times. Responding police officers found scattered cash bills of various denominations as well as three empty shells and two deformed slugs at the crime scene.

Investigators have requested copies of closed circuit televison camera (CCTV) footage from Barangay Palanan to help identify the suspects.  - Mike Frialde