Suspected carnapper nabbed at checkpoint

CEBU, Philippines -  A suspected motorcycle carnapper was arrested in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City Monday afternoon.

Joseph Codeno, 28, of Barangay Binaliw, was arrested after he yielded a cal. 45 pistol during a checkpoint conducted by personnel of the Cebu City Public Safety Company of the Cebu City Police Office.

 Police Officer 3 Jaime Misa, team leader of CCPSC, said they were conducting a checkpoint in the mountainous part of the barangay when they spotted Codeno who was driving a motorcycle-for-hire.

Codeno reportedly appeared uneasy when his motorcycle was stopped for the checkpoint.

The police frisked the suspect and noticed something bulging on his chest.

The object turned out to be a firearm which led to the suspect’s arrest.  The police also recovered several drivers’ licenses from the suspect’s wallet which were not bearing his name.

An improvised key made of Allen wrench was further recovered from the suspect, which made Misa suspect that Codeno is a carnapper.

Yesterday morning, CCSPC personnel conducted a demonstration to show that the key could be used in any motorcycles.

The key was inserted to a motorcycle and the ignition switch was turned on, convincing the police that the suspect has used the key to steal motorcycles.

The suspect strongly denied the allegation, claiming that he is only a flower farmer. He admitted bringing a gun but denied owning it.

The Theft and Robbery Section will be submitting the suspect to a background check, believing that he might be responsible for the series of carnapping incidents in Talamban area.

From January to October this year, at least 284 cases of carnapping were recorded in Cebu City, the highest of which was recorded last March at 36 cases. This was followed by September with 35 cases and July with 34 cases.  Based on the data released by the Cebu City Police Office, most of the stolen motorcycles were Honda XRM and Suzuki Raider brands. — (FREEMAN)