Car theft gang leader collared

Police arrested Wednesday the alleged mastermind of a car theft syndicate operating in Malabon City and its neighboring towns and cities after his cohort tipped him off to authorities following the latter’s arrest.

Suspect John Domingo, alias "Joan," was collared by operatives of the Malabon police at around 3:30 p.m. in Marilao, Bulacan.

Domingo, 32 single, jobless, of Leonio Street, Malabon was said to have masterminded the series of car thefts in the city that targeted tricycles and motorcycles.

The police conducted a surveillance operation on Domingo after his cohort identified as Dexter Francisco pointed to him as the gang’s head.

Police arrested Francisco last April 28 for allegedly stealing a red Kawasaki tricycle the day before. The vehicle, which was parked unattended along Adante Street, Taniong, Malabon when it was stolen, has yet to be recovered.

Case investigator PO2 Peter Rios of the Station Investigation Unit (SIB) said that police are set to conduct a follow-up operation in a town in Pampanga where Domingo’s group was reported maintaining a warehouse.

Domingo is now detained at the police detention cell pending the filling of violation of Republic Act 6539 (Anti-Car Theft Act) against him while Francisco, who has been charged with the same case, has been transferred to the Malabon City Jail. – Nikko Dizon