4 arrested after stealing SUV from Mandaluyong businessman

MANILA, Philippines - Just hours after stealing a sport utility vehicle from a businessman in Mandaluyong City, four suspected carjackers were arrested at a checkpoint in Quezon City for driving a Toyota Innova without license plates at past midnight yesterday.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) was also able to recover a black Toyota Fortuner that the suspects, under interrogation, admitted stealing from businessman Anthony de Vera of Mandaluyong City. Mandaluyong police said De Vera had just parked his car in front of his residence when four men, armed with handguns, appeared at around 11 p.m. Sunday.

One of the suspects pistol-whipped De Vera in the back of the head after he refused to hand over his car keys. After grabbing his keys, the suspects drove off with De Vera’s Fortuner, which was recovered by the QCPD at a car repair shop in Barangay Old Balara.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent George Regis named the suspects as Garry Ceriaco, 37; Erick Equila, 31; Reynaldo Peralta, 40; and Carlo Montalbo, 47.

Station 1 commander Superintendent Lino Banaag said they flagged down a white Toyota Innova driven by Equila at a police checkpoint at the corner of D. Tuazon and Cuenco streets. He said they recovered a .380 caliber Beretta pistol from Ceriaco, who identified himself as a Marine reservist, as well as .38 caliber revolvers.

Police said the Innova’s chassis number is registered to a police officer. When asked if the car may have been stolen, Regis said the vehicle “is not the subject of an alarm.”