Robber kills partner, hurts cop in botched break-in

A robber killed his own partner and wounded a policeman during a bungled attempt to rob a motorcycle parts store in Caloocan City yesterday morning.

Chief Inspector Jose Valencia, Caloocan City police Station Investigation and Detective Management Branch (SIDMB) chief said the slain suspect sustained a bullet wound in the neck while Police Officer 1 Rommel Zagala, 30, was confined at the Manila Central University (MCU) hospital due to a gunshot wound in the left arm.

Valencia said that at around 7 a.m., three men barged into the JJD motorcycle parts and accessories store on Rizal Avenue Extension on 8th Avenue.

One of the suspects asked for the driver of a white Isuzu Crosswind – owned by Zagala – parked in front of the store and drew his .38 caliber revolver.

Zagala, who was also inside the store, went for the suspect’s revolver but during the scuffle, another suspect, also armed with a handgun, panicked and fired upon the two men grappling for the gun.

Zagala was hit in the left arm while his adversary was hit in the neck and died instantly.

The two remaining suspects fled on foot, leaving their dead partner behind. Valencia described the slain suspect as around 35 to 40 years old, 5’4” in height, of medium build, with a tattoo of a man’s face on his chest and “Danny Toyo” written below it. He also sported a tattoo of a woman’s face. He was wearing denim pants and a white T-shirt.

The Northern Police District Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered from the crime scene the slain suspect’s .38 caliber revolver with three bullets, a wallet with P100 bill and two SIM cards, and a black bag containing a bull cap and a plastic bag.

NPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Tango said Doreen Faraon, 34, stepdaughter of Pampanga police provincial director Senior Superintendent Keith Singayen, owns the store. Zagala is assigned at Singayen’s office.

“This is a case of a bungled robbery attempt,” Tango told The STAR.