Tuesday, August 12, 2008 Drunk driver ‘attempts to steal’ patrol vehicle, stopped by cops
A DRUNK jeepney driver drove a police patrol car left running with the keys still in the ignition system by a group of policemen who responded to an alarm in Barangay Busay, Cebu City last Sunday afternoon.
Joseph Libre, 32, managed to drive the unit just a few meters away because he was intercepted by the patrol car of the backup police team. He was arrested.
Libre, in an interview at the police stockade, said he did not have any plan to steal the patrol car.
“Nadala ra to sa kahubog. Wa koy plano kawaton (I did it because I was drunk. I never planned to steal it),” said Libre.
Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador said complaints of resistance and disobedience to persons in authority and drunkenness will be filed against Libre.
Comendador said the Mobile Patrol Group (MPG) under Chief Insp. Arnel Banzon is still studying if there is a basis to charge Libre with attempted carnapping.
Comendador said the incident occurred when a team of MPG policemen on board the patrol car rushed to Busay after receiving a report about a group of people who were engaged in illegal gambling.
In their haste to catch up with those who gambled who quickly scampered after seeing the arrival of the police, the team of PO3 Melvin Gines left the patrol car running with the key still inside.
Libre, a driver for a jeepney serving the Lahug-Colon route, got on the car and drove it.
He was intercepted few meters away by another patrol car that also arrived in the area.
Comendador said they will investigate the incident. He wants to come up with a policy that will balance the need to respond to a call for assistance quickly and keeping vehicles safe from thieves.
He said, however, that the standard policy is to always turn off the engine and for the driver to bring the keys with him before leaving the patrol car.
There are instances, however, that in the policemen’s effort to arrest the suspect, they forget to take the keys with them. (JST)
