No Ninja Turtle: Suspected killer nabbed in QC sewer

A man suspected of killing a hairstylist and a taxi driver in Quezon City last Wednesday was found hiding in the sewers on Friday.

 

Policemen arrested Larry Benuya, 38, after they pretended to be residents wanting to help him, GMA News' Jun Veneracion reported on "24 Oras."

 

Once the manhole cover was removed, the police moved in and handcuffed Benuya, who had been in the sewer of an exclusive subdivision for nearly three days at Barangay Greater Lagro in Quezon City.

 

Benuya was tagged in the shooting of beauty parlor branch manager Jake Gasper and taxi driver Norberto Espiritu Jr. last Wednesday.

 

Authorities managed to track him through an ID and cell phone cover he left at the parlor. Witnesses also identified Benuya as the gunman.

 

Investigation showed the suspect had a pedicure at the parlor before he went on his shooting spree.

 

He then shot the taxi driver when he refused to accommodate him.

 

Footage from a closed-circuit television system also showed the suspect wearing the taxi driver's uniform and trying to hijack a UV Express vehicle, but seemed to change his mind.

 

He then poked his firearm at a passing motorcycle rider and pulled the trigger, but his ammunition had run out by then.

 

The CCTV footage then showed him riding a passenger jeep.

 

"Ang nakakaawa rito is that ang dalawang biktima at least initially sa kuwento ng mga witnesses, inosente talaga. Lalo ang taxi driver, bumabaybay lang ... di pinasakay, pak - binaril," said Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.

 

For now, police are still determining the motive for the killing.

 

Investigators are also looking into whether he has a criminal record or a mental problem.

 

Police are also not discounting the possibility he is a member of a gun-for-hire gang.

 

Quezon City police chief Senior Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said the suspect claimed he was a member of the Alex Boncayao Brigade.

 

"Ongoing pa rin ang investigation para ma-reveal ano talaga ang tunay na motive," Pagdilao said.

 

But the suspect denied the allegations against him. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News