CAMP BADO DANGWA – The Police Regional Office – Cordillera successively arrested the leader and financer of a carnapping group operating in the City of Baguio and province of Benguet and another carnapper and two buyers of stolen motorcycles in a 3 – day continuous operation. Also recovered were fourteen (14) stolen motorcycles
Joint police operatives of La Trinidad Municipal Police Station led by the Chief of Police, PCINSP BENSON B. MACLI-ING, personnel of BCPO Station 7 led by PCI MARLON EVASCO, BCPO Station 10 led by PSI DE VERA and members of the Hi-way Patrol unit collaborated and initiated successive operations and in-depth investigation regarding series of Motorcycle theft in La Trinidad, Benguet and Baguio City.
On July 21, 2018, the operatives initially arrested two suspects, identified as Josete Longbabe Carantes, 22, a resident of Lubas, La Trinidad, Benguet and Jerson Mariano Remegio, 20, a resident of San Pascual, Tuba, Benguet at Topdac, Atok, Benguet, while their two other cohorts evaded arrest. Four (4) motorcycles were recovered by the operatives from the suspects.
On the same day, the arrested suspects pinpointed their two other companions, identified as Merlon Inso Thomas, 31, the financier, buyer, and distributor of stolen motorcycles, and Reymund Sudkey Wayas 32, farmer, and were subsequently arrested in their residents at Topdac, Atok, Benguet. Two (2) detached motorcycles were also recovered from them, along with one Rouser, one RUSI and one Yamaha motorcycles at the house of Thomas at Topdac, Atok, Benguet.
In a follow up operation, another suspect, Jay Juan Rivera, 30, laborer, and a resident of Irisan, Baguio City was arrested at Apugan, Tuba, Benguet, after a reported stolen motorcycle was recovered from his possession.
On the following day, July 22, 2018, operatives conducted continuous manhunt operation at Apugan, Baguio City, that led to the arrest of Ronell Inso Salipan, 28, a resident of Pula, Apugan, Baguio City and the leader of the newly identified carnapping group operating within Baguio-Benguet. He was the cohort of Carantes, and Remegio who evaded arrest on July 21, 2018.
On the other hand, PCI Macli-ing negotiated with Mr. George Neupe Bay-osan, Lupon member of Topdac, Atok, Benguet through phone call, for him to convince his three constituents to surrender three (3) carnapped motorcycle which were allegedly sold to them by Thomas. As a result of the negotiation, one (1) Rouser 160cc colored red/black; one (1) Rusi 150cc colored yellow/black and Yamaha 150 colored black were turned over to the authorities.
A case of four counts of Carnapping was filed by the operatives against Carantes; Remegio; Salipan and Thomas with no bail recommended while a case for Violation of PD 1612 known as Anti-Fencing Law was filed against Revira and Wayas with recommended bail bond amounting to Php34, 000.00 and Php26, 000.00 respectively.
Another two counts of Car napping was filed against Carantes, Remegio, Salipan, Thomas, a certain Kethley/Keith Lee and a Jane Doe.
All arrested suspects and seized motorcycles are now under the custody of the concerned operating units.
The neutralization of the members of this carnap group led to the solution of series of motorcycle theft incidents within Baguio and Benguet.
PCSUPT Rolando Nana congratulated and bestowed awards to the concerned operating units during the distinguished visitors Program on July 23, 2018 during the flag raising ceremony.
The public is strongly encouraged to work hand and hand with the police by reporting any information to the nearest police station for an immediate action. “The collective efforts of the public and police personnel will lead to the immediate solution of cases” PCSUPT Nana said.
PROCOR RPIO Release
Photos: Banner photo shows Photograph shows suspect Merlon Thomas pointing to one of the stolen motorcycles inside his residence in Atok, Benguet while the others shows the stolen motorcyles. PROCOR Photo.
