POLICE have arrested two suspected “notorious” carnappers in an entrapment operation in Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City, Friday, December 6.
The suspects were identified as Naira Buat, also known as Nairah Laguindab, 27, and Junaid Macabuat, also known as Junaid Abas; both were residents of Pantar, Lanao del Sur.
Case investigator Police Senior Master Sergeant Neil Apollo de las Alas said they suspect that the two are involved in most of the carnapping incidents in the city, particularly operating in the capitol area and in the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC).
The suspects allegedly extorted money from Hassim Dayonga, 30, of Pinikitan, Barangay Camaman-an, whose Honda XRM motorcycle was stolen on November 10 while parked at Guillermo-Yacapin streets, Barangay 33, this city.
De las Alas said the victim left his wallet containing his driver's license, ATM card, receipts from the Land Transportation Office, as well as his cellphone.
The same items were recovered from the suspects as well as the P10,000 they demanded from the victim. De las Alas said the suspects initially demanded P30,000 from the victim.
Also recovered from the suspects were identification cards showing they are members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
De las Alas said this information still has to be verified.
"Ang ilang modus ani, ang babae magamit sa payong para mo-cover sa iyang kauban na lalaki para mo-maneuver sa motor nga mo-andar," he said.
De las Alas said they believe the suspects are experts in carnapping, and their modus suggests that they have been doing this for quite some time.
He said they are still locating carnapping blotter reports and match it with the documents they seized from the suspects.
"Advise nato sa publiko nga ang atong mga property tagaan ug igo nga security measures para ma prevent makawat. For example, i-double lock ang handle and if possible use another lock nga naay kadena kay maglisod na siya basta naa kadena para at least naay delaying mechanism na makatawag-pansin sa passers-by," he added.
The suspects are currently detained at Cogon Police Station and will face carnapping and extortion charges.