Suspect wounded as stolen cars recovered

Two stolen cars have been recovered and two suspected thieves arrested in Benque Viejo. One of those suspects was wounded by a police bullet in the course of his apprehension. According to official reports, around midnight Tuesday a police patrol observed two Toyotas travelling at high speed on the Arenal Road toward Benque. A chase ensued during which one of the Toyota’s crashed upon reaching town and wound up in a culvert. Cops say the passenger got out brandishing what appeared to be a handgun. When he refused to surrender, police fired a shot but the suspect ran off. The driver, however, seventeen year old Carlos Martinez, was not so lucky and was taken into custody. Late this morning a tipster reported a wounded man in town and police picked up an injured fifteen year old Raphael Guerra, who was taken to San Ignacio Hospital under guard. A second Toyota Camry was later found abandoned on Pedro Guerra Street in Benque. Both vehicles were reported stolen earlier Tuesday. The Police Internal Affairs Department will investigate the shooting.