Beware of hi-tech carjack syndicate

MANILA, Philippines - Police have warned car owners against a carjack syndicate which uses computerized gadget to steal even high-end sophisticated luxury cars.

The warning was issued following the complaint of an American serviceman whose newly bought black Toyota Fortuner was stolen while parked along Singalong, Manila Saturday night.

Vincent Tolentino, 22, from California, USA, told police he and his wife ate at a Chinese restaurant and parked their vehicle together with several cars along Singalong. When they came out of the restaurant, their car was gone. Tolentino said no one in the area has heard the car alarm sounded during their stay inside the restaurant.

Senior Inspector Randy Maluyo said the complaint was the first in his stint as chief of the Manila Police District’s anti-carnapping section that a Fortuner was stolen while parked. “The Toyota Fortuner, like other high-end cars , could not be easily stolen unless it is forcibly taken from its occupants. These type of cars are computerized and could only be opened and driven off with its special type of keys,” Maluyo said.

The stolen vehicle could easily be sold since it has no license plates yet but only its conduction sticker. The car was bought for P1.8 million in September 2009, according to Tolentino.

Maluyo is eyeing a syndicate with probable contact among car dealers and expert in computer technology. He immediately set a voice alarm and a flash alarm for the missing car. He also directed PO3 Jorge Lawan Jr. to conduct an ocular inspection of the place where the car was reportedly stolen.

Also inside the stolen car were his personal Boostmaster M-16 rifle with ammunition, P50,000 and several personal documents, according to Tolentino.  – Nestor Etolle