TMG officers recover 17 stolen scooters

Seventeen stolen scooters and motorcycles were recovered by operatives of the PNP Traffic Management Group (TMG) in an operation the other day in Moriones, Tondo, Manila.

Chief Superintendent Danilo Mangila, TMG director, said the motorbikes were individually flagged down by a combined team of TMG mobile and intelligence personnel last Wednesday during operations along Varona and Velasquez streets as well as adjacent roads.

The riders either failed to show legal documents proving ownership of the motorbikes or the license plates of the vehicles were tampered.

"It is most possible that these motorbikes were used in illegal activities such as snatching or maybe delivery of illegal drugs, which are rampant in the Tondo area," Mangila said.

He said the new modus operandi of a carjacking syndicate is using a van to load the stolen scooters.

Upon inspection, some of the scooters had fake registration stickers from the Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police and the Western Police District, Mangila said.

He said the PNP will conduct a deeper investigation to determine the syndicate involved in the illegal manufacture of the fake LTO stickers.

Meanwhile, Mangila also warned the public against an Indian national allegedly involved in car theft operations, targeting mostly Honda CRVs in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

He said Mohan Newman Pribhdas, also known as "Bombay," frequently victimizes individuals trying to sell their SUVs.

Police alleged that Pribhdas’ most recent caper took place last Sunday, duping the owner of a Honda CRV into believing that he would test drive the vehicle in Project 4, Quezon City.

Upon reaching the front of the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters along Santolan Road, the suspect told the owner to step out of the van before speeding away.

"This should serve as a warning to car owners. Beware of this guy because he has victimized so many people," said Mangila, while holding a copy of Pribhdas’ photo.