Carnapping in Las Pinas? Here’s how to fight it

Here is a news item we found about a carnapping incident that occurred in Las Pinas a month ago. We feel that this is very significant to everyone and we also took the liberty of researching ways on how we can protect our vehicles.

Negosyante, tinangayan ng sasakyan sa Las Piñas
May 07, 2010

(6:26 AM) LUHAANG dumulog sa pulisya ang isang kuwarenta’y sinco anyos na negosyante matapos na sapilitang tangayin ng limang kalalakihan ang kaniyang sasakyan sa Las Piñas City kagabi.

Ayon sa biktimang si Roberto Catayong ng Sta. Mesa, Maynila, minamaneho niya noon ang kaniyang kulay puting Vios na may plakang ZKT-774 kung saan binabagtas niya ang kahabaan ng Casimiro St. sa Las Piñas.

Aniya, laking gulat na lamang niya nang banggain ng isang Mitsubihi Lancer ang likurang bahagi ng kaniyang sasakyan kung saan tatlo sa mga suspek ang bumaba sa sasakyan at nagpakilalang pulis.

Dito ay tinutukan ang biktima ng baril, piniringan ang mata at sapilitang pina-upo sa likurang bahagi ng kaniyang sasakyan.

Kaagad namang minaneho ng mga suspek ang sasakyan ng biktima at ibinaba ito sa tapat ng Japanese Embassy sa Roxas Boulevard.

Here are some of the modus operandi syndicates or individuals employ when stealing cars:

The following are some methods of operation or ?modus operandi? which were found out to be deliberately or unwittingly adopted by the syndicates during each carnapping incident.

1. The group preys on wealthy victims who reside in posh subdivisions/villages in Metro Manila. They conduct casing/surveillance on probable targets before executing plans. They strike their victims with force when the victims are about to get out/in of their gates.
2. Forcibly take at gunpoint prospective targets usually at commercial parking areas.
3. Pretend as police/military personnel in staging carnapping activities.
4. The carnapping syndicates usually operate using carnapped vehicles.
5. Face lifting or repainting is immediately done after the carnapping incident.
6. Sells stolen vehicles to unsuspecting buyers by providing spurious LTO documents.
7. Carnappers disguise themselves as hitchhikers
8. Syndicate usually flags down their would-be victims and at gunpoint hold their prey.
9. They utilize assorted instruments to forcibly open the door of target vehicles.

PREVENTIVE TIPS FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES (MV) OWNERS (c/o the Philippine National Police)

1. Always lock all car windows and doors before leaving your car in the parking area.
2. Always park your car in lighted areas during nighttime.
3. Park your motor vehicle in secured places.
4. Check the area where you parked against suspicious looking people.
5. Avoid displaying valuables inside your car when parking to avoid temptations.
6. Remove vital parts like ?ROTOR? if possible before leaving your car .
7. Install alarm and safety devices when possible.
8. Install hidden master switch.
9. Avoid using the street near your residence as your parking area.
10. Always lock your car windows and doors when traveling in congested areas.
11. Never entrust your car key to strangers to avoid duplicating it.
12. As much as possible, park your car inside the garage and the garage gate must always be secured and locked.
13. Never leave your car unattended while the engine is on and the doors are unlocked.
14. When somebody hit or bumped your car don’t alight from your car immediately. Analyze the situation.
15. Avoid hitchhikers especially beautiful women.
16. When waiting for someone don’t wait inside the car.
17. Investigate and require driver applicants to submit Police and NBI Clearances.
18. Never entrust to prospective buyers the car you are selling for testing purposes without escort.
19. Never entrust your car key to anybody except to the management when turning over your car for repair.
20. For PUVs, don’t bite for huge sum that the passengers are offering to bring them in certain areas unless you know personally the one offering.
21. Take note of the plate numbers of the suspected vehicles tailing that hit you. Then report it immediately to the Police.

We hope that with these tips, everyone will be more vigilant in protecting their vehicles. If these criminals cannot find easy targets then we can eliminate them. Let us all be more careful.