Police: 2 ‘Basag Kotse’ members known

POLICE said two men suspected to be members of a group of thieves responsible for the series of car lootings in Mandaue City were identified.

Police said the suspects were identified after a witness managed to jot down the plate number of a multicab they rode in after a car break-in in barangay Banilad last Tuesday.

The two men smashed a window of John Hallman’s Toyota Innova and stole valuables inside the car, said police.

Identities of the two men are withheld pending the filing of charges against them, said Chief Insp. Jimmy Aguisanda, chief of the Casuntingan police.

The American parked his car in front of an establishment on A. S. Fortuna when the thieves struck.

Police said a witness told police that a multicab with plate number GDK-529 was used by the two men during the theft.

Upon verification, it was found out that the multicab is owned by Godfrey Limalima, 60, a resident of sitio Pinahagbong, barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

Police went to Limalima’s house. He told police that the multicab was rented for P500 by the two suspects last Tuesday.

Operatives of the Investigation and Detection Management Branch (IDMB) went to the house of one of the suspects, a few meters from Limalima’s house.

The man, however, was able to elude arrest by jumping out of the window of his house.

Police said the man and his relatives were packing their belongings and were about to transfer to another place when IDMB operatives arrived.

Police said three bullets placed inside a coin purse were found in the house.

Insp. Ramil Morpos, deputy chief of IDMB, said investigators are studying if charges could be filed against the multicab owner.

Charges of robbery and illegal possession of live ammunition will be filed against the suspect, said police. REPORTER JUCELL MARIE P. CUYOS