CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga -- Motorcycle riding criminals (MRCs) responsible in robbery and snatching incidents in the province shot and wounded a tricycle driver on Thursday along Jose Abad Santos Avenue in Sta. Ana, Pampanga.

Police identified the victim as Jimmy Balatbat, 45, a resident of Barangay San Pedro, Sta. Ana town.

He was about to refuel his tricycle in a gas station in Barangay Sto. Domingo when the suspects on board a motorcycle tried to grab his necklace.

The suspects failed to grab the victim's necklace, police said, but the back-rider pulled a gun and shot the victim, hitting him in the belly and right foot.

The suspects then grabbed and took the victim’s necklace and fled towards Arayat town.

Police said the victim was taken to San Luis District Hospital and then transferred to the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital in the City of San Fernando.

Responding Sta.Ana policemen recovered two spent shells from a caliber .45 pistol at the crime scene. (Ric Sapnu)