Car theft nabbed in Laguna

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — A 28-year-old carnapper was arrested by operatives of the CALABARZON-Regional Traffic Management Office 4 (RTMO4) during a hot pursuit operation near the South Expressway toll gate in San Pedro town.

Police Superintendent Artemio Bermido, RTMO4 chief, identified the suspect as Roderick Bagsic, 28, a native of Poblacion Lobo, Batangas. He was reportedly responsible for a series of carnappings in Laguna and Batangas.

Bermido said Bagsic was rushed to a nearby hospital after he was wounded in a shootout with Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) traffic enforcer Efren Rosarito.

Police recovered from the suspect a Toyota Corolla, with license plate DSW-309, a caliber .38 revolver and a fake CIDG identification card.

Bermido disclosed that the car’s owner, Antonio Gonzales, 42, a businessman and resident of Agustin Ville, Lawa, Calamba City, brought his car to a Petron gasoline station located at Barangay Parian, Calamba City for washing and engine repair.

However, when he came back to pick up his car, the Petron car wash boy said that his car was forcibly taken at gunpoint by an unidentified man.

Gonzales reportedly called up 117 and reported the carnapping incident to the RTMO headquarters and the PNCC office.

Bermido immediately ordered Police Senior Inspector Emmanuel Tabuena, RTMO chief investigator and officer-in-case to form a team to set-up a checkpoint at all possible exits along the South Expressway.

After two hours, the car was spotted near Medalla and San Pedro. However, when flagged down by the police, Bagsic reportedly tried to escape and aimed a gun, prompting the cops to shoot the suspect.