By: Jose Robert Inventor
Two men accused of stealing a car in Nueva Vizcaya were arrested after a 20-minute pursuit in Bambang town on November 23, authorities said.
Police cornered one of the suspects in Barangay Calaocan late Sunday morning after the pair reportedly took a black sedan in Dupax del Sur.
The suspects fled past a checkpoint in Barangay Macate, prompting a hot pursuit operation.
Bambang Police Chief PMaj. Randy Velarde said in a phone interview that their tactical operations center received a flash alarm, leading to coordination with the Highway Patrol Group.
“We received a flash alarm, and from there we coordinated with the Highway Patrol Team regarding the carnapping incident in Dupax del Sur,” he explained.
He added “officers eventually intercepted the suspects in Barangay Calaocan.”
Velarde said officers inspected the vehicle and immediately noticed inconsistencies.
“When we intercepted them, we asked for documents. The car was not under their names, and when the Highway Patrol Team arrived, the owner confirmed it,” he said.
During inventory, police also recovered a tube pipe with suspected shabu residue.
Data from the Highway Patrol Group show that from January to June this year, 140 four-wheel carnapping cases and 964 motorcycle theft incidents were recorded nationwide.
The agency reports an 8.5-percent decrease from the previous year, crediting regular and extensive checkpoint operations.
The two suspects are now facing charges under Republic Act 10883, or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016.
