Car theft syndicate ‘leader’ arrested

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union — A joint team of the provincial and this town’s police arrested yesterday morning the suspected leader of a notorious car theft syndicate operating in Metro Manila and Central Luzon.

Senior Superintendent Franklin Jesus Bucayu, who led the arrest, identified the suspect as Edwin Balla Madrigal, 35, tagged as the leader of the so-called Madrigal syndicate.

Bucayu said Madrigal went to Bangar town Wednesday night to visit his common-law wife, Grace Mahinay.

Madrigal reportedly parked his Honda City with license plate WNM 576 in a compound without the consent of the houseowner, who, in turn, informed the police.

At 6:30 a.m. yesterday, when Madrigal was about to get his car, policemen immediately arrested him based on warrants issued by Judge Danilo Manalastas of Malolos, Bulacan.

Superintendent Sterling Raymund Blanco, chief intelligence officer, quoted Madrigal as saying that he left the car in the area to avoid his wife from seeing his new car.

But police were not convinced with his alibi because the vehicle was allegedly stolen.

Based on their verification, Blanco said the car was registered under the name of a certain Mary Grace Lapitan, of Lot 8, Block 3, Magnolia st., Phase 4, Tres Hermanas Village in Mayamot, Antipolo City.

Police also found out that Madrigal was using a driver’s license under the name of one Andy Santos and it bore the picture of another man.

Police found in his possession 25 assorted pointed keys.

According to Bucayu, Madrigal is facing various cases of car theft in Metro Manila and Bulacan.

Madrigal’s brother, Randy, is currently detained in a Bulacan jail for car theft.

Madrigal was temporarily detained in the Bangar municipal jail pending the filing of formal charges against him.

Police are now coordinating with the Traffic Management Group for the proper disposition of his case.