Superintendent Wilfredo Ramos, Malabon City police officer-in-charge, identified the suspects as Florante Marcelino, 55, and Joey Sta. Maria, 26, both residents of San Gabriel st., Barangay Maysilo.
The suspects’ alleged boss, a certain Ryan Santos, alias Nog-nog, a leader of the notorious Nog-nog gang, remains at large and is now the subject of a police manhunt.
At around 5 a.m., Jaime Lopez, 49, a resident of Manapat st., Barangay Taniong, Malabon City, reported to Ramos’ office that his tricycle parked in front of his house was stolen.
Ramos, who was earlier directed by Mayor Canuto Oreta to solve the recent spate of car thefts in the city, immediately dispatched his men to track down the thieves.
Five hours later, the cops were informed that Lopez’s vehicle was spotted at the lair of suspected car thieves in Barangay Maysilo.
Ramos led his men in raiding the suspects’ hideout, resulting in the arrest of Marcelino and Sta. Maria.
The police also recovered from the suspects Lopez’s Kawasaki motorcycle and some parts of the victim’s dismantled sidecar.
Police said some of the tricycle’s body parts were hidden by the suspects in a canal and covered them with mud.
During interrogation, the police learned that the suspects pretend to be buyers of recycled garbage and go around the city scouting for target vehicles.
Oreta commended Ramos for the immediate arrest of the suspects.