A COMPANY driver was beaten black and blue by a group of drunk men who mistook him for a snatcher Sunday night in Caloocan City.
Roylan Joseph Dela Cruz, Jr., 42, of 632 Quirino Highway, Pangarap Village, Bgy. 181, suffered severe head and body injuries and is still under observation at the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital.
Police and barangay officials later arrested one of the four suspects identified as Nerven Gabay, 30. The other suspects identified as Joel Caliquiran, Walter Marquez, and Jay-Ar Mantarin, all residents of Phase 7B Bgy. 176, Bagong Silang, escaped.
Police said the victim together with his relatives were waiting for a ride on Phase 7B Road, Pagasa, Bgy. 176, Bagong Silang, at around 8 p.m. when an unidentified man poked a gun at the victim.
Fearing for his life, Dela Cruz ran but the suspects who were drinking blocked his path and took turns in beating him after he was mistaken for a snatcher.
The beating only stopped when a concerned resident in the area sought police assistance at the nearby Police Community Precinct (PCP) 3. Police immediately responded to the area and arrested Gabay.
A case of serious physical injuries will be filed by police against Gabay and his cohorts before the Caloocan City Prosecutor's Office.