Blind man led busted car theft gang — police

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Five suspected car thieves, including a blind man tagged as their leader, were arrested in an entrapment at a gasoline station along the Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo Highway yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Vidal Querol, Central Luzon police director, identified the suspects as Edward Pizarro, 42, the syndicate’s alleged leader; Elma Victoriano, 32; Romeo Punzalan, 44; Orlando Montemayor, 58; and Ramson Cordero, 54, a retired policeman.

Querol said a combined team of the San Fernando police and the Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division (RIID) caught the suspects while selling a stolen van to a poseur buyer for P100,000.

Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina, RIID chief, said the van had no documents and were found to have been stolen in Olongapo City last June 22.

Police intelligence agents placed the group under surveillance following a series of car thefts in Central Luzon. The stolen vehicles were reportedly "cannibalized" and the auto parts sold to dealers.

Also seized from the suspects was a red Mazda which they used as a back-up vehicle.

Querol said charges have been filed against the suspects.