Suspected pickpocket killed after snatching cop’s gun

A policeman shot dead a suspected pickpocket who tried to snatch his service firearm while they were in a police station in Sta. Cruz, Manila the other day.

Investigators said the victim, identified only as “Apple Bakla,” was declared dead on arrival at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center. He sustained a gunshot wound in the face.

Police Officer 2 Exequiel Arevalo, detailed at the Sta. Cruz police station, surrendered his service firearm, while his superior, Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, ordered an impartial probe into the incident.

Officer-on-case PO2 Joseph Kabigting said the suspect was invited for questioning at the police station in connection with a complaint by Elisa Arcega about the theft of her money while she was waiting for her brother to be released from the Manila City Jail.

The suspect reportedly preyed on jail visitors by disguising himself as one of them, according to police.

Arevalo searched the suspect and recovered two $20 bills and P160 that Arcega said were hers. It was at this juncture that the suspect allegedly grabbed Arevalo’s firearm. The two men scuffled for possession of the gun, which went off and hit the suspect in the face.

Sapitula called on the relatives of the suspect – who was described as between 30 and 35 years old, at least five feet and four inches tall – to identify his body at the hospital’s mortuary. – Nestor Etolle