ZAMBOANGA CITY - A simple law infraction for not wearing the seatbelt led policemen to the recovery of a sport utility vehicle stolen in Manila during an operation in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, police said Wednesday.
The Dipolog City police elements were conducting checkpoint operations in implementing the anti-carnapping law, hijacking and anti-highway robbery along Rizal Avenue on Monday afternoon when they spotted a black Range Rover bearing plate number 8.
Upon checking, policemen noticed that the driver was not using the seat belt. The papers shown by the driver indicated that the vehicle is registered under the name of Lucky Sea Trading in Intramuros, Manila.
Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, Spokesman of Police Regional Office9 (PRO), said the police and traffic management enforcers during inspection discovered the driver identified as Jonn Marvine Dadan was not carrying the certificate of registration and official receipt of the vehicle prompting them to invite the driver with the vehicle to the Highway Patrol Group (HPG).
Instead of following the policemen, the driver attempted to escape. A car chase ensued, which lasted for hours before the Range Rover was intercepted in Dapitan City.
Upon verification, the HPG discovered that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Quezon City last August 11.
The recovered vehicle has been placed under the custody of the HGP while the driver had been arrested and detained at the Dipolog City police station.