Alleged car thief crashes into pole, is nabbed

MANILA, Philippines—A man wanted for kidnapping, car theft and other cases was arrested with his live-in partner after their car crashed into an electric post while trying to avoid a police checkpoint in Bohol on Friday.

Tyrone de la Cruz, alleged leader of a criminal group operating in Southern Luzon, was apprehended on the national highway in Barangay Bahi, Alburquerque, Bohol, with his partner, Jean Louise Bitoy.

Senior Supt. Roberto Fajardo of the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), said De la Cruz led a gang involved in kidnapping, carjacking and robberies in Laguna and Cavite.

Fajardo said De la Cruz was arrested by virtue of an arrest warrant issued by a Calamba City court for the August 2013 kidnapping of a Filipino-Chinese couple.

In the arrest warrant, Judge Alberto Serrano of Calamba City Regional Trial Court Branch 92 recommended no bail for De la Cruz, who is charged with kidnap for ransom.

The gang leader and his partner were arrested on Friday at around 3:30 p.m. by the AKG, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the Intelligence Group and the Bohol police.

Police flagged down a red Toyota Corolla for inspection, but the sedan sped away, prompting authorities to pursue it.

In an attempt to outrun the policemen, the vehicle lost control and veered off the road hitting an electric post. Julie M. Aurelio

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