Stude shot after stealing cop’s gun, taking hostage

A 21-year-old student was shot by a policeman in Makati City after he robbed a cop’s gun, escaped from a Quezon City police precinct and took a hostage yesterday.

Based on the report of PO2 Reynaldo Juan of the Makati City police Homicide Division, the incident took place at around 6:30 a.m. along J.P. Rizal St. in Makati City.

Prior to the incident, the suspect, Dexter Salas, a student of AMA Computer College and a resident of Sta. Ana, Manila, was apprehended by elements of Precinct No. 5 of the Quezon City Police for disturbing the peace at the parking lot of the SM Fairview Mall.

The policemen suspect that Salas was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

At the precinct, Salas was handcuffed and left unattended by the policemen under station commander Senior Inspector Eddie Arajil.

While he was alone, Salas took the shirt of Arajil’s uniform as well as his 9mm Beretta service firearm from the drawer of his desk.

Salas immediately fled the precinct and went to a nearby jeepney terminal where he boarded one queuing up for passengers.

He sat on the front passenger seat beside a saleslady of SM, Sherryl Torres, 22, of Norzagaray, Bulacan.

At gunpoint, the suspect ordered the passengers in the backseats to get-off and directed the driver, Angelito Puerte, to proceed to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

The suspect told Puerte that they were going to pick up a friend in Makati before proceeding to Villamor.

At the corner of East Avenue and EDSA in Quezon City, the suspect got off the jeepney, taking Torres as hostage.

Salas and his hostage then boarded a taxicab for Makati City.

Puerte followed the taxi and along the way sought the help of Philippine National Police-Traffic Management Group member, SPO1 Benjamin Ariza, who was on his way to his post in Mandaluyong City.

The pursuit continued until J.P. Rizal street where the taxi stopped because of traffic.

At this point, Ariza approached the taxi with his service firearm in hand.

Ariza ordered the suspect to get off the vehicle but rather than give up, he allegedly pointed his stolen gun at the policeman. Ariza fired and hit Salas in the right side of the body.

Torres was rescued unharmed while the suspect was brought to the Ospital ng Makati for treatment.

According to investigation, Salas had just broken up with his girlfriend and was suffering from a nervous breakdown.