Car dealer enters not guilty plea in carnapping charge

CEBU - Controversial car dealer Joseph Bert Cañete failed to personally enter a plea during the arraignment of his criminal case last Wednesday but his lawyer, Rufe Paul Legorio, had asked the court to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Cañete is facing a charge for violation of the Anti-Fencing Law in relation to the Anti- Carnapping Act of 1972 following his arrest last July for having a stolen Hyundai Starex worth P1.4 million in his possession. The case is now pending before the sala of Regional Trial Court Judge Gilbert Moises.

Before the case was elevated to court, however, Cañete already claimed innocence during the inquest proceedings. He posted a bail of P40,000 for his temporary liberty. Cañete’s arrest stemmed from an intelligence report received by the Anti-Carnapping Section of the Quezon City District Police Intelligence and Operation Unit that stolen vehicles for sale would be brought to Cebu City from Quezon City.

The information reportedly came from a confidential agent connected with a carnapping syndicate.

Cañete was accosted and arrested by virtue of a warrant issued by Quezon City RTC Judge Thelma Ponferrada, as he was driving the Hyundai Starex out of his compound in barangay Tisa about 4am on July 29.

Police later confirmed that the vehicle was indeed stolen last April 21 this year. It reportedly used to bear the license number ZKZ 988 but the original plate was allegedly replaced while the van was on transit to Cebu.

When seized, the vehicle bore a plate with license number ZJM 154, which is not recorded with the Land Transportation Office. 

Police also found several other motor vehicles allegedly with suspicious plate numbers at Cañete’s compound. — Jasmin R. Uy/JMO (THE FREEMAN)