Cop arrested for stealing cab in Parañaque City

A policeman and two other men were arrested Tuesday morning in Parañaque City after they allegedly stole and cannibalized a taxi cab but not before robbing its driver over the weekend.

Police identified the suspects as PO2 Charlie Cantos, 40, mechanic Alberto Esteban, 38, and Nelson Nuevo, 39. Cantos is reportedly assigned at Camp Malvar, Concepcion Grande, in Naga City, said city police chief, Supt. Roland Estilles. Estilles said the suspects have practically emptied victim Roman Movilla’s taxi cab – from the seats to the radio and other accessories when it was recovered.

Investigation showed that Cantos and an unidentified man hailed the cab (PYY 747) driven by Morvilla in the wee hours of March 30 in Pasay. Morvilla was told to drive them to Parañaque. Upon reaching Sucat, Cantos, reportedly was ordered out of the vehicle.

"The suspects said they were just going to borrow the car," Estilles said.

The terrified Morvilla immediately reported the incident to Bgy. San Dionisio watchmen who in turn, alerted the police.

Two days later, on April 1, barangay and police authorities received information that a group of armed men were seen "cannibalizing" a taxi cab at the garage of a house on Magno Avenue, Tramo 2, Bgy. San Dionisio.

Elements of the Anti-Carnapping Division and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team immediately arrested the suspects at around 5 a.m.

Canto denied that he was part of the group, saying he had only passed by the house. But Estilles said Canto had grease all over his hands. Moreover, Nuevo, who owned the house, later told the police that it was Cantos who brought the stolen taxi cab to his house. Nuevo, who is jobless, alleged that Cantos wanted to have the vehicle repaired. But in a police line-up, Movilla positively identified Cantos as the man who poked a gun at him.

Movilla and the cab’s owner also identified the vehicle recovered in Nuevo’s house as the stolen vehicle.