QC names areas, cars most prone to car theft

The Quezon City Police District named yesterday eight areas and three types of cars that are most prone to car theft even as it reported a decline in car theft and carjacking during the first quarter of the year.

QCPD chief Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula identified Balintawak, Cubao, San Francisco del Monte, La Loma, Pag-asa, Bago Bantay, New Manila and Project 8 as car theft-prone areas in the city.

He added that car thieves usually prey on Mitsubishi Pajeros, Isuzu Crosswinds, and owner-type jeeps “due to market demand.”

Gatdula said only 30 car theft cases were recorded from January to March this year, compared to the 39 cases during the same period last year.

The QCPD said of the 30 incidents, only three involved forcibly taken or “carjacked” vehicles, compared to 15 carjacking cases during the same period last year.

Most of the car thefts happened from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., when criminals steal vehicles that are parked unattended.

Gatdula also said 11 suspects were arrested recently and charged in court, while 16 vehicles were recovered and returned to their owners.      – Reinir Padua