Three suspected carnappers were arrested by police during a follow-up operation after they carted away a Toyota Fortuner rented by two Chinese nationals in Pasay City.
The suspects were identified as Ryanelle Reyes, 40; Aaron Espiritu, 34; and Argel Garces, 35; all from Angeles City, Pampanga.
According to Pasay police chief Police Col. Bernard Yang, the Toyota Fortuner was taken away at the parking lot of Cartimar Center, Leveriza St.
Yang said that two Chinese nationals identified as Tong Jin Tao and Sang Bo rented the car with Reyes as the driver.
After paying for the parking fee, they left the keys to the suspect to enable them to go shopping at the mall.
When they returned, they called Reyes so they could leave, but he revealed to them that the car was stolen.
They immediately reported the incident to the Pasay police Arnaiz Police Community Precinct with a help of a certain Kristy Wu, a Filipino Chinese interpreter.
While at the Station Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the Pasay police, Wu called the cousin of the car’s owner identified as Virgilio Celis who told Wu and SIDMB chief Police Lt. Allan Valdez that the car has GPS.
Through the GPS, they were able to track the car which was at the compound of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines in Mexico, Pampanga.
Two of Reyes’ cohorts were then arrested while a follow-up operation is still ongoing to track down a certain Carlo Magno, who managed to evade arrest.
The three will face charges for violating Republic Act 10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office. (Dhel Nazario)
