By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A man who allegedly wielded a gun inside a department store was arrested by police on Thursday along Rizal Street in Barangay 1, Silay City, Negros Occidental.

Police identified the suspect as 38-year-old Edemar Parreño, a resident of Sitio Beraño, Barangay Lantad in the said city.

Silay City police chief, Police Superintendent Noel Polines, said, around 11:30 a.m., the suspect entered the JDS Mindoro Marketing department store were, upon being searched by a security guard, he allegedly pulled out a short firearm.

A scuffle then ensued, resulting in Parreño fleeing the establishment.

He was arrested a few minutes later by patrolling police officers after the station was informed of the incident.

Polines said they were not able to recover the suspect’s firearm as he threw it away during his escape, however, they managed to recover one 12-gauge shotgun ammunition unit inside the store.

The police chief also said they are currently investigating Parreño’s motive, noting it is unclear if he intended to rob the place.

In addition, Polines said the suspect has prior criminal charges and is one of the city’s most wanted personalities as he was allegedly involved in a string of theft incidents, along with the illegal discharge of firearms.

He also suspects Parreño may have links to illegal drugs, although investigators are still following up on allegations.

The suspect is presently detained at the Silay City Police Station and is facing illegal possession of firearms and ammunition charges./DGB, WDJ