Carnap leader admits stealing 8 bikes, pickup

Operations are underway to recover at least eight motorcycles and a pick-up truck stolen by a carnapping group believed to have ties with a syndicate in Manila.

Police began tracking the stolen vehicles after the arrest of the local gang leader who revealed plate numbers of the stolen vehicles, said Chief Insp. Michael Anthony Bastes, chief of Mandaue City police’s Investigation and Detection Management Branch.

Bastes said that according to John Kyle Samonte, the robbery group stole a Mio motorcycle with plate number 6125-YE in March 2012 at Ayala Center in Cebu City. In the same year, the group stole a Yamaha Crypton without a license plate and Raider motorcycle with plate number 6952-GO in barangay Talamban, Cebu City.

Four other motorcycles were stolen in April 2012 including a Honda Wave (1208-GP); an XRM 110 motorcycle (9172-QR); a TMX motorcycle (LYV-9587); and a Bravo Honda (6944- GP).

The group admitted stealing a Mazda pick-up truck (UBV-124) in barangay Mambaling, Cebu City in March 2011.

Bastes said the group had sold the stolen vehicles or its parts to different parties in Cebu.

Bastes advised carnapping victims to visit the Mandaue police and present papers for the possible recovery of their stolen vehicles.

Bastes said that Camp Crame authorities confirmed that Samonte’s group was connected with the Dominguez brothers in Manila who are also facing carnapping charges.

Samonte was arrested on Wednesday along with Rannie Dandan, 34, Johnriel Carsido, 28, and Floriano Conde, 25.

Charges were filed against the suspects who remain detained in the Subangdaku police precinct./CORRESPONDENT JUCELL MARIE P. CUYOS