Hunt on for carjacker-cop

Authorities have launched a manhunt for a policeman involved in the carjacking of a luxury vehicle belonging to an engineer in Marikina City.

Three tracker teams were dispatched to arrest PO2 Arnold Adto, assigned at the Regional Headquarters Support Group (RHSG) and his companion, who forcibly took a dark green Toyota Land Cruiser (UNF 510) from a customer of a restaurant along the Marcos Highway in Barangay San Roque the other night.

The policeman was identified through his ID and pay slip found inside his wallet, which he accidentally left behind at the Aruray Bar and Restaurant.

Senior Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, Marikina City police chief, said Adto failed to report for duty yesterday.

"My men are working overtime to have him arrested," Gaerlan said, adding that they are also trying to identify his accomplice, who could also be an officer.

After a few drinks, Adto and his cohort stepped out of the restaurant at about 10 p.m.

"They hurriedly paid their bill and left," said Gaerlan quoting witnesses.

When they emerged from the restaurant, Adto and his companion pulled out their handguns, and pointed their weapons at Fernando Lorenzo, 58, an engineer, who had just arrived on his SUV.

The restaurant is reportedly owned by Lorenzo’s brother.

Adto then sat behind the wheel of the Land Cruiser, with his companion and a stunned Lorenzo as his passengers.

Upon reaching the Philippine School of Business Administration on Aurora Boulevard, Adto ordered Lorenzo out of the vehicle and continued driving toward Cubao, Quezon City.

Lorenzo took a passenger jeep to go back to the restaurant in Marikina.

When he arrived, a waitress immediately showed him a wallet left behind by one of the suspects.

"The victim positively identified Adto as the one who commandeered the vehicle," Gaerlan said.

The Marikina police chief coordinated with the Traffic Management Group (TMG) for the issuance of a flash alarm on the carjacked vehicle. As of yesterday, the TMG has failed to spot the stolen SUV.

The Marikina City police chief said his men visited Adto’s address, but also neither found the officer nor the Land Cruiser.

Gaerlan has coordinated with the National Capital Region Police Office for the speedy arrest of Adto and his companion.

"We will not stop until he is behind bars," he said. "We don’t need policemen like him in our ranks."