A CARNAPPING suspect was arrested by operatives of Police Station 4 at Sunshine Valley Subdivision, Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City Wednesday morning, September 25, 2019.
Police identified the suspect as Richard Dequina, 34, of Barangay Vista Alegre.
Police Lieutenant Rondyl Tapang, chief of Police Station 4, said Dequina was arrested while his two companions managed to escape in a follow-up operation at Sunshine Valley Subdivision at about 3 a.m.
Investigation showed that on September 23, Dequina and his two companions pretended as members of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and took the tricycle of Avelino Gemirangan at Lopez Jaena Street at about 1 a.m.
Tapang said Dequina told the drivers of the tricycle to claim the unit at the police station, but when they checked in BCPO, the unit was not recorded.
He said on Tuesday night September 24, Dequina and his two companions, who were on board a motorcycle, were spotted by the complainant along Lopez Jaena and he immediately asked for police assistance.
“Our policemen chased them until they were cornered at Sunshine Valley Subdivision that led to the arrest of Dequina while his two companions managed to escape,” he added.
Police recovered from Dequina’s possession one unit of motorcycle.
Dequina also admitted to the police that they carnapped the tricycle of the complainant and brought it to the house of his sister in San Dionisio Subdivision, Barangay Granada where it was recovered.
“It was the modus of the suspects to carnap the tricycle using the name of the BCPO. We already have the names of Dequina’s companions and they are subject for follow-up operation,” Tapang said.
He said Dequina, who was a former detainee at the BCPO for violation of illegal drugs, is detained at the station’s custodial facility and is facing charges for carnapping.
“Our policemen are not wearing civilian attire during the conduct of checkpoint operation, we are wearing the Philippine National Police uniform so we should be careful to avoid similar incidents,” he added.