Car theft ringleader slain in high-speed chase

The leader of a big time car theft syndicate was shot dead by policemen shortly after midnight yesterday during a high-speed chase on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.

The fatality, identified only by police as a certain "Bong Tattoo," suffered multiple bullet wounds in different parts of the body and died on the spot. His still unidentified companion was able to escape unscathed.

According to Chief Inspector Rodolfo Jaraza, chief of the Central Police District’s Intelligence Division, the slain suspect heads a syndicate that victimizes brand-new taxis in Quezon City.

"The calling card of these criminals is that they even inform and boast to other taxi drivers that they have stolen their colleague’s vehicle. Luckily, this proved to be their undoing," Jaraza told The STAR in an interview.

Reports showed that the incident took place at about 1:10 am along Commonwealth Avenue near University Avenue in UP Diliman.

A group of cops were on board their mobile car for an operation involving stolen cars when they noticed two men inside a white Toyota Corolla taxi with no plates.

The policemen alighted from their vehicle and flagged down the cab for inspection. The suspects, however, opened fire on the cops and sped off. A shootout and a brief chase ensued.

When the smoke cleared, "Bong Tattoo" lay dead inside the stolen vehicle with several gunshot wounds in the chest and shoulder. His cohort, police said, was able to elude arrest by abandoning the car and jumping over a fence that took him inside the UP campus.

Recovered from the scene was the stolen vehicle, with the license plates found inside the glove compartment (TWL-758), a caliber .357 pistol, a kitchen knife, unused bullets and 12 empty shells.

Jaraza said in a matter of minutes, about three dozen taxis arrived at the scene.

According to PO3 Rogelio Esteves, the recovered taxi was stolen last Dec. 27, while parked unattended near an eatery in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Police are now trying to determine the real identity of the fatality and are conducting follow-up operations for any more suspects involved in similar activities.

"This is a very good yearender. It is unfortunate that a life has been taken, but that is one less bad seed we have to worry about," Jaraza said.