Rob suspect shot dead in police station

A suspected robber was shot dead after he allegedly grabbed a policeman’s firearm while he was undergoing investigation at the Ermita police station Friday night.

Angelito Lanceta, 32, allegedly a member of the “Robin Padilla” robbery gang, was declared dead on arrival at the Manila Doctors Hospital. He sustained a gunshot wound to the head.

Senior Police Officer 1 Carlos Santos said Lanceta grabbed the gun of PO3 Alvin Plantado while they were in the investigation room. The two men were grappling for possession of the gun when SPO2 Antonio Cruz Jr. happened to pass by. Cruz said he wasted no time and fired at the suspect.

Ermita police station chief Superintendent Rogelio Rosales said the suspect failed to fire Plantado’s gun because the safety was on.

Rosales said Lanceta was brought to the police station by barangay tanods after he was caught robbing a saleslady of her cell phone and money along Leon Guinto street. – Nestor Etolle