BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Two notorious robbery and carnapping suspects were arrested here on Monday afternoon.
The 42-year-old Regie Lamprea was a resident of Barangay Taculing while 42-year-old Jhay Garcia was from Purok Lubi, Barangay 3, also in this city.
Police Station 1 commander, Police Major Ramel Sarona said both suspects were initially trailed by police operatives along the city’s downtown area. A chase later ensued until the suspects were cornered on Luzuriaga-San Juan streets.
During the chase, according to Sarona, the suspects pulled out a toy gun and pointed it to the chasing cops to scare them off.
Police recovered five live .45 caliber bullets, a toy gun, a sling bag, and the suspects’ motorcycle.
Also recovered were three sachets of suspected shabu valued at around P6,800, as well as drug paraphernalia.
A background check revealed that the suspects met while doing jail time in 2018 for illegal drug charges.
After the two were released, they teamed up and got involved in a string of robbery holdups, snatching, and motor-napping incidents in the city, police said.
The suspects were detained at the Police Station 1, facing charges related to Republic Act 10591 for illegal possession of ammunition, RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, as well as robbery, holdup, and snatching.
Sarona is also calling on robbery victims to visit Police Station 1 and lodge a file more criminal charges against the two.
Meanwhile, it is also expected that Lamprea may receive a warrant of arrest for murder after Police Station 4 commander, Police Major Ritchie Gohee revealed that Lamprea is one of the suspects wanted for a murder that took place in the city’s Barangay 20 earlier this year.
Gohee also revealed that Lamprea has other pending charges related to RA 9165, illegal gambling, and frustrated homicide./PN
