Motorcycles easy prey for Camanava thieves

Motorcycles remain the favorite target of thieves in the northern part of Metro Manila, with Valenzuela City reporting the highest number of incidents.

Records at the Northern Police District Office (NPDO) revealed that from January to October this year, 104 motorcycles were reported stolen in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela (Camanava) area.

Valenzuela City recorded the highest number of motorcycles stolen at 47. Caloocan City has 38, Malabon City, 18; and the coastal town of Navotas, one.

The NPD-District Police Intelligence Unit has intensified its drive against car thieves in Camanava last week, which resulted in the apprehension of Danilo Imutan, 35, an alleged leader of the notorious Dan-Dan Group.

Chief Inspector Jimili Macaraeg, NPD-DPIU chief, said that a black Kawasaki motorcycle, with license plate XG-4700, was recovered when police raided Imutan’s lair in Hito st., Barangay Longos, Malabon City at around 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

Another stolen motorcycle, a red Yamaha with license plate NO-5542, was also found on the same day in a secluded area on C-3 Road, Caloocan City by DPIU agents led by SPO4 Antonio Tenorio.

The NPD-DPIU operatives returned the stolen motorcycles to their owners.

Macaraeg said motorcycles are the preferred targets of car thieves in the northern metropolis because they can be easily be disposed of. Motorcycles are also easy to steal and conceal.

Macaraeg said that Valenzuela City has the highest number of stolen motorcycles, partly because of its huge population and because it has several access roads.

"In Navotas, car thieves would have limited escape routes because it’s a coastal town, " he said, adding that NPD director Chief Superintendent Raul Gonzales has tapped his office with District Intelligence and Investigation Division (DIID) chief Superintendent Alfred Corpus to coordinate with four Camanava police chiefs to combat the rising incidence of stolen cars in the northern metropolis. — Pete Laude