Citizen foils grocery heist, miner killed in shooting

foiled an attempted robbery of a grocery in La Trinidad, Benguet after a concerned citizen tipped off an on - going heist in Km. 4.

Elements from the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station immediately responded to an alleged robbery of a grocery at around 1:30 in the morning of June 23.

Arrested during the failed heist are Roel Velasco Valdez, 29, of Cervantes Ilocos Sur; Jonathan Colipcip,45, from Banaue,Ifugao; 24 – year – old James and Nickson Benaliw, 29, both of Tadian, Mountain Province who almost run away with P957,500.

Police Chief Inspector Benson Macli-ing said the suspects are identified members of the Jepson-Belingen Bolt Cutter/Acetylne robbery group.

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suspects are one 9mm Glock with 10 ammunitions, two caliber .38 and 11 ammunitions including one hand grenade.

Aside from the hand guns and bomb, a bolt cutter, two crowbars, one chisel, and two hacksaws were retrieved from the group.

The suspects cut off the padlock of the main door of the establishment while the authorities cordoned the area which led the arrest of the suspects.

In Baguio City, a miner was killed while a laborer was seriously hurt in a shooting incident at Kayang-Hilltop.

In a report by the Baguio City Police Office, the victims were identified RJ Gonzales, 26 – year – old, miner and resident of San Pascual, Tuba, Benguet who sustained a gunshot wound in the head, and 27 – year - laborer Mark Anthony Colombres Del Valle of Upper Rock Quarry who sustained a gunshot wound in the stomach.

Initial investigation revealed the victims who came from a bar in the area decided to go home after a few rounds of drinks.

While both were waiting for a taxi cab, suspect Winston Licdan Imos, 26 – year - old laborer from Sablan shot the victims.

Responding policemen who conducted an immediate follow up investigation was able to arrest Imos inside a jeepney confiscating a pistol.

Gonzales was declared dead on arrival at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center from the gunshot wound in the head while Del Valle was still being observed for the gunshot wound he sustained in the stomach.