‘Carnap boss’ Mark Lester Reyes falls

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

Mark “Mac” Lester Reyes. Mugshot contributed by QCPD PIO

MANILA, Philippines–‎Alleged car theft syndicate leader and “carnap king” Mark “Mac” Lester Reyes has been arrested by Quezon City police in a condominium unit in Caloocan City, The police announced on Tuesday.

Chief Superintendent Richard Albano, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) chief, said in a statement that Reyes and his live-in partner‎ were caught after police tracked down four gang members in Malabon City last August 13.

Police learned that members Armando dela Cruz, 26 and Alvin Ganac, 19 were using an allegedly stolen Toyota Prado with plate number XRP 290 going to R.D. Surplus Store in Banawe, Quezon City.

Police then tailed the vehicle until it reached Tenejeros, Malabon City and went inside Bustamante street.

During the arrest, a sachet of shabu, or methamphetamine hydrochloride, and a grenade were seized from the duo.

Dela Cruz and Ganac revealed to the police that their boss was hiding at No. 121, Kabigting street, Barangay (village) 127 in Caloocan City.

Police were able to reach his hideout on the second floor of the unnamed condominium. It turned out Reyes was accompanied in the unit by his partner Richell Sibug, 30, and their children.

“Reyes was ordered to surrender peacefully but fired his gun instead, apparently, ‎to scare the authorities,” the report said.

But while Reyes’ children and partner were hugging the gang leader, it gave the police the opportunity to disarm Reyes of his Taurus Caliber. 45 pistol loaded with 12 live ammunition.

Two sachet of shabu, a stolen Toyota Hi-Ace van, a Nissan Patrol, several pieces of picklocks and other carnapping ‎tools were seized from Reyes.

In the morning of August 15, other members Pablito Gumasing, 34,and Macario San Diego, 23, were also arrested by the police at Reyes’ safehouse along Bustamante street

A white Toyota Hi-Ace van, blue Isuzu Sportivo, two fragmentation grenade and two sachets of shabu were confiscated from Gumasing and San Diego.

Suspected members of the ‎Mac Lester Reyes gang ‎victimized their targets by applying as family driver. Once hired, they would steal the vehicle, dismantle it and sell its parts.

In 2011, the QCPD arrested Reyes’ son, Mark Joseph Lester, for stealing Social Security System vice president Alfredo Villasanta’s Toyota Fortuner.

Last February, the 19-year-old Mark Joseph and Reyes’ wife Jasmine were killed in an ambush while riding a taxi after a court hearing in Quezon City.

But ‎barely a month after his family’s death, Reyes and his cousin Joemel Salvatierra allegedly seized actor Arron Villaflor’s Toyota Super Grandia on March 8.