The accident forced three of the five-member group to abandon the stolen vehicle, leaving behind their two companions. The swift response of Quezon City policemen resulted in the arrest of the two suspects.
Manila Police District anti-carnapping section head Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr. identified the arrested suspects as Jacob Limbaga, 23, of Norma street, Sampaloc, and Princess Kintanar, of Santol, Quezon City.
The two identified their accomplices as a certain "Louie," their alleged leader, Reysan Yalung and a certain "Abu."
The group was responsible for the theft of a silver Toyota Lite-Ace (TCB-482), which was parked outside a house on Sobriedad street in Sampaloc last Tuesday night, Arevalo said.
After receiving the report, officer-on-case SPO4 Celso Tan flashed an alarm on the stolen vehicle .
Limbaga told police that Louie and Abu drove off with the vehicle and picked up other members of the group in Quezon City.
Louie, who was behind the wheel and reportedly drunk, failed to properly steer the vehicle, which crashed into a sign post in Galas, Quezon City.
Three of the suspects scampered after the accident, but Limbaga and Kintanar could not get out of the vehicle. They were caught by responding policemen.
The vehicle was returned by Manila police to its rightful owner.
The suspects refused to furnish other information on their escaped companions, except for Yalung whom Kintanar said was her live-in partner.
Kintanar denied knowledge of the illegal activities of the group, saying she was just invited by her partner for a joy ride with the suspects.
Car theft charges were filed against the five suspects, even as Arevalo ordered a manhunt for the remaining gang members.