NCRPO: Car thefts down since LTO raid

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Regional Police Office reported yesterday that incidents of car theft significantly dropped since the NCRPO busted a car theft syndicate based in the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Quezon City.

NCRPO chief Director Roberto Rosales said since the LTO raid last July 9, the five police districts in Metro Manila recorded fewer car thefts in the metropolis.

“There are days like last Friday and Saturday that we recorded zero car theft cases in Metro Manila. While on other days, car thieves managed to strike but they took only fewer vehicles,” Rosales said in an interview.

When he assumed his post last April, Rosales said the NCRPO recorded at least six vehicles stolen daily by car theft syndicates.

Rosales decided to raid the LTO compound amid reports that a syndicate is behind the registration of stolen vehicles with the connivance of LTO employees.

Since the NCRPO embarked on a series of raids last July, at least 41 persons, including two policemen, were arrested and 32 stolen vehicles recovered.

One of the recovered vehicles was a Range Rover sporting congressional protocol plate. The vehicle’s owner, Mark Chua, is the brother of Eric Chua, a suspect in the spread of a sex video of Dr. Hayden Kho and actress Katrina Halili.

Rosales vowed there will be no letup in their drive against car thieves as he warned their protectors that they would suffer the “wrath of the law.”

“We have already identified them and their fences. We are now gathering evidence to arrest them and pin them down in court,” said Rosales. – Non Alquitran