Police lieutenant colonel, 2 others nabbed for carnapping

OPERATIVES of the PNP Patrol Group (HPG) arrested a police lieutenant colonel and his two companions for carnapping, through the so-called “rentangay” scheme, in Paranaque City last week, it was reported yesterday.

An HGP report identified the suspects as Lt. Col. Gideon Ines Jr., 52, of Tondo, Manila; Michael Bautista, 42, of Burgos, Bataan; and Lyn Tuazon, 52, of Angeles City, Pampanga.

The suspects were arrested at 6:45 p.m. last Wednesday along the Roxas Boulevard service road in Baclaran, Paranaque City.

They were nabbed based on the complaint of the female owner of a Mitsubishi vehicle Xpander vehicle that Bautista rented from June 2 to 4. However, the vehicle was not returned as agreed upon.

Last June 5, the car owner received a message, through Facebook, from a car buyer inquiring about the sale of her vehicle for P350,000.

Police said the car buyer searched the name of the car owner on Facebook to validate the sale of the vehicle based on the vehicle’s Certificate of Registration provided by the sellers.

The car owner told the buyer her vehicle was not for sale and urged the buyer to continue transacting with the sellers while she sought the help of authorities.

The car owner filed a complaint with the HPG on the afternoon of June 5, prompting the launch of an operation with the help of the car buyer who arranged a meeting with the suspects on Roxas Blvd., supposedly to inspect the vehicle being sold.

The car owner, who pretended to be the buyer, arrived on board a sports utility vehicle.

The suspects, apparently sensing that it was the owner who was approaching the stolen vehicle, scampered in different directions.

But HPG operatives ran after the suspects and arrested them. They will be charged with violation of Republic Act 10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016.

Police said the car owner positively identified Bautista as the person who rented her vehicle.