Text leads to arrest of car thieves in QC

Two car thieves were arrested yesterday in Quezon City, thanks in large part to a tip from an informant through text messaging.

"The arrest of the two car thieves only shows that text messaging works in crime prevention and solution. We are encouraging the public to get involved in solving crimes by reporting them through text messaging," said Metro police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco.

Velasco urged the public to call PNP Text 2920, Magic Eye Txt Patrol 2910 and Police Hotline 117 once they chance upon any kind of criminal activity.

The suspects, Rey Lagumbay, 27, of Kapalaran, Litex, Quezon City and Ruben Quirog, 26, of Caloocan City were presented before the media yesterday by Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Velasco.

The third suspect, Ricardo Cortez, eluded arrest. He is now being hunted.

Velasco said the arrest of Lagumbay and Quirog was part of his effort to bring down the number of cars stolen in Metro Manila.

When he assumed his post July last year, Velasco said the number of cars stolen every day was seven. At present, the average has gone down to three.

A concerned "texter" sighted the suspects using a Toyota Corolla Altis with license plates XAB 178. Subsequent verification with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) revealed that the license plate had been originally issued to a Nissan Exalta.

At around 2 p.m. yesterday, another text message said the vehicle was sighted on IBP Road in Litex, Quezon City, prompting the dispatch of special agents who immediately flagged down the vehicle.

As soon as the raiders identified themselves, the occupants of the stolen vehicle scampered in different directions. However, Lagumbay and Quirog were cornered after a brief chase.

Initial investigation revealed that the car was in the list of wanted and stolen vehicles of the Traffic Management Group (TMG), forcibly taken from its owner Abraham Fernandez Ong at the corner Banawe and Roxas in Quezon City last Feb. 16. – Non Alquitran