Attacked snatcher yields knife to responding cops

An alleged notorious snatcher was shot and wounded by an unidentified attacker while watching over the vegetable stall of his wife at the Carbon Market, but was arrested later when responding policemen found him with a knife.

Bryle Panuncia, a resident of sitio Bato in barangay Ermita, was rushed Monday night by responding elements of the Waterfront Police Station to the Cebu City Medical Center. But after treatment, he was immediately sent to jail for possessing a deadly weapon.

Police reports said residents along Burgos Street in barangay Sto. Niño called up the authorities upon hearing Panuncia ask for help while being chased by his assailant.

Panuncia, in an interview at the Waterfront Police Station where he is currently detained, said the attacker approached and poked a gun at him while he was watching over his wife's stall at the market.

Panuncia said that when he tried to grab the firearm, the man immediately shot him, hitting him in the arm. The victim added that he managed to run but the man chased him all the way to barangay Sto. Nino.

When the assailant saw the police arrive, he immediately left the area. But since the police recognized the victim as a notorious snatcher, they immediately frisked him and found a Batangas knife in his waist.

When the lawmen tried to get the knife, Panuncia quickly pulled it out and tried to stab P/Insp. Pablo Cabildo. - Flor Z. Perolina