QC cops pursuing carjackers

The anti-carjacking unit of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has raised a Metro-wide alarm on a gray Toyota Fortuner (ZBY 166), which was forcibly taken from its owner near the corner of Congressional and Visayas Avenues in Quezon City last Tuesday evening.

Chief Inspector Rodolfo Jaraza, chief of the QCPD anti-carnapping task force, reported to QCPD director Chief Superintendent Nicasio Radovan that two men in a silver sedan with no plates took the SUV at gunpoint from one Godofredo Fuego, a resident of Barangay Pasong Tamo in Quezon City.

Radovan said the suspects, who are now the subject of massive manhunt, are remnants of a gang, whose leaders were neutralized two months ago. He declined to give details, saying only that hot pursuit operations are ongoing.

The operations of the QCPD and Traffic Management Group, which included setting up of more checkpoints, earlier resulted in reduction of carjacking incidents in the city.

Car owners in Quezon City have been the favorite target of carjackers because of the city’s huge land area. It also has several exit points, which the suspects take advantage of during pursuit operations.

However, Radovan said carjacking incidents in Quezon City have dramatically decreased from 16 incidents in October to only two incidents this month.

"Most of the carjackings occur at dawn when few motorists are on the road to witness the crime," he said.

The QCPD chief advised motorists to be security conscious and avoid unnecessary night trips. He said when going out with friends, motorists should form convoys.