Stolen motorcycle posted on Facebook Marketplace recovered by the Regional Highway Patrol Unit 4A

October 18, 2023

2–3 minutes

CVL – Regional Highway Patrol Unit 4A, under the supervision of Regional Chief RHPU4A, PCOL ROMMEL C ESTOLANO, successfully carried out anti-carnapping operations that resulted in the Arrest of FREDIE TORRES y ESTERIA for violation of PD 1612 (anti-fencing law) for possessing and selling a reported carnapped motorcycle Yamaha NMAX.

Personnel from PHPT Cavite led by PLT ARVIN RAMOS, Deputy Provincial Chief, while conducting intensified anti-carnapping operation, police visibility, and spotting operation, aforesaid team flagged down a male personality onboard of motorcycle a one (1) unit of Yamaha NMAX with temporary Plate Number which is allegedly reported as failed to return (taking without owner’s consent).

Prior to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the vehicle, it was revealed that the victim had posted the subject motorcycle for sale on the Facebook marketplace. They agreed to meet with a potential buyer who test-drove the motorcycle but fled in an unknown direction and failed to return the vehicle. This prompted the victim to report the incident at Marikina City Police Station, Sto. Nino Police Sub Station.

Subsequently, on October 16, 2023, at around 1:00 PM, Duty Investigator PCMS Ferdinand Lopez Cruz received information from the complainant that the stolen motorcycle had been spotted in Tanza Cavite. Thereafter, elements of PHPT-Cavite, together with the complainant, conducted cyber patrolling on various Facebook Marketplace Groups (TALON CASA BENTAHAN/NMAX MC GROUPS), and they were able to observe a motorcycle that resembled the description of the victim’s motorcycle. The victim, together with the operatives from PHPT-Cavite and Tanza Municipal Police Station, pre-arranged a transaction with the seller and agreed to meet up at SM Tanza in Cavite.

Upon flagging down the subject motorcycle, the complainant positively recognized his stolen motorcycle, including the photo of OR/CR, ignition key, open deed of sale, and photocopy of ID or registered owner, which were recovered from the arrested suspect. The operating team immediately affected an arrest and apprised him of his constitutional rights as well as his rights under RA 9745 or the (Anti-Torture Act of 2009). Alternative Recording Device (ARD) was also correctly used during the conduct of said operation pursuant to the Rules on Body-Worn Cameras issued by the Supreme Court.

The successful arrest of the suspect and recovery of the stolen motorcycle is a significant accomplishment for RHPU4A, which shows a testament to the unit’s commitment to conducting intensified Anti-Carnapping Operations through the leadership of PBGEN ALAN M NAZARRO, Director of the Highway Patrol Group, in line with the thrust of the CPNP’s strategy of implementing aggressive and honest law enforcement measures to combat carnapping, highway robbery, and other forms of criminality along the highways. //Edjun Mariposque