5 hijack gang members targeting delivery trucks in Manila arrested

Five suspected members of a syndicate that hijacked delivery trucks were arrested by operatives of the Manila Police District Anti-Carnapping (Ancar) unit over the weekend.

One of those arrested was Marlou Dacula alias “Sputnik,” 28, a dispatcher at the Manila South Harbor and the group’s recruiter, Manila Police District Ancar chief Senior Insp. Rosalino Ibay Jr. said Monday.

“He would recruit the drivers and truck helpers to carry out the hijacking of delivery trucks,” Ibay added. “Because he’s a dispatcher at the South Harbor, he knows the schedule of the targeted delivery trucks.”

The group was busted based on the information provided by one of their victims. Follow-up operations were ongoing to find the group leader and his assistant who brokers the sale of the stolen items.

Dacula and Wellnier Mendoza alias “Bulantoy,” 28, were arrested on Saturday night on E. Rodriguez Street in Balut, Tondo, Manila. Another gang member, Jonathan Reducto alias “Tata” escaped after the group was flagged down by the police. The three were driving an Isuzu tractor head (RHK 161), which had been reported stolen by Robert Rafael Romero of Orient Freight.

The complainant who owns a warehouse in Ermita, Manila, reported that on Feb. 11, Reducto also stole an Isuzu trailer truck (REL 814) towing a 40-foot container van carrying P1 million worth of furniture and kitchen wares. Reducto was a former helper in the complainant’s warehouse.

A follow-up operation led the police to the group’s safe house on Salmon Street in Caloocan City. Arrested were Arnel Corre, Francisco Lapuz and Marina Galapong Reducto, Reducto’s wife.