Defensor intercepts car thieves

Four suspected car thieves were intercepted by Team Unity senatorial candidate Michael Defensor and his bodyguards in Mandaluyong City, leading to the suspects’ arrest by the Makati City police.

Superintendent Ruvenar Escalner, chief of the Makati Police Community Precinct (PCP-4), identified the suspects as Romar Mendoza, Francis Mendoza, Mark Anthony Cortez, and a 17-year-old boy.

The fifth suspect, identified as Renato Cortez, the driver of the stolen 1998 Nissan Sentra, with license plate PNW-780, eluded arrest.

Escalner told radio station dzMM yesterday that Defensor and his four bodyguards helped arrest the suspects after a brief chase from Mandaluyong to Makati City.

According to reports, Defensor and his convoy were cruising along Calbayog st. in Libertad, Mandaluyong when they noticed that the hood of a 1998 Nissan Sentra was open.

Defensor reportedly ordered his driver to tail the vehicle to inform its driver that the car’s hood was open. However, instead of stopping to close the hood, the driver of the Nissan Sentra sped away almost hitting Defensor’s vehicle and triggering a brief chase.

As the Nissan sped towards Makati City, it hit two tricycles filled with children. When it stopped along Arnaiz Avenue in Makati City, Defensor’s men collared the suspects but the driver, Renato Cortez, managed to escape.

Makati City police chief Superintendent Gilbert Cruz said the spot report is still being prepared by the officer on case. Charges of car theft, physical injuries, resisting arrest and damage to properties are being readied against the suspects.

The identities of the injured passengers of the two tricycles were not immediately made available.

Eric Ignacio Evangelista, the owner of the Nissan Sentra, told the police that his car was parked in front of his home in Makati City when it was stolen between midnight and 4 a.m.

He added that his wallet containing P5,000 and a credit card, which he left inside the car, was also taken by the suspects along with his car stereo.– Jose Rodel Clapano