Qualified theft raps filed vs actor/director's driver

MANILA, Philippines – Intoxicated after a drinking session with friends, a driver took off with the sports utility vehicle of his boss, actor and director Rowell Santiago. He is now facing charges after being arrested the day after.

Santiago’s stay-in family driver Rogelio Sabanal, 33, will be slapped with a case of qualified theft after his employer decided to press charges, said Chief Inspector Dario Añasco, head of the Anti-Carnapping Section of the Quezon City Police District.

According to Añasco, Sabanal was arrested at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Sabanal reportedly took off with Santiago’s Toyota 4Runner (WAP-800) at around 11 p.m. on Monday.

Añasco said Sabanal was arrested after being spotted in the vicinity of Tivoli Subdivision in Quezon City .

The police official said the driver drank liquor with friends in the vicinity of Don Antonio Royal Heights Subdivision where Santiago is residing on Monday night.

“Probably because of too much liquor, he (Sabanal) drove off the vehicle without Mr. Santiago’s consent. The drunk driver probably took the vehicle for a joyride,” Añasco said in jest.

According to Añasco, Santiago sought police assistance after he failed to contact and locate his driver.

“An alarm was immediately flashed and policemen went to the site after the vehicle was eventually spotted in Tivoli Subdivision,” Añasco said.

Upon arriving there, policemen saw the driver onboard the SUV and arrested Sabanal. – Reinir Padua