BATANGAS CITY – A smartphone thief was gunned down after he resisted arrest and attacked responding police officers on Friday, Dec. 2, in Barangay Santa Clara here.
Police identified the suspect as Geronimo Rivera, 47, and a resident of Purok 6, Barangay Santa Clara.
Investigation showed that the suspect armed with a bolo forcibly took the smartphone of Joseph Bunquin, 36, of Purok 7, Barangay Santa Clara in his house.
Bunquin sought the help of barangay tanod or watchmen who sought police assistance.
Police arrived but the suspect ran towards his house.
Lawmen tried to convince the suspect to surrender but instead attacked them with his bolo, prompting police to shoot Rivera.
Rivera sustained a bullet wound in the stomach and was taken to a hospital where he was declared dead.
Police recovered Rivera’s bolo, the stolen smartphone, and a fired cartridge case for a shotgun.