At the SRP: “Basag Kotse” gang strikes again

CEBU, Philippines - A couple buying market goods, a family having dinner and a woman attending a gathering were victimized by the “basag kotse” gang in three separate areas at the South Road Properties, Cebu City Sunday night.

Ian Gaduya, 40, from Pooc Talisay City, Cebu, reported to the police that around 3:40 p.m., he parked his car at the farmers’ market in Sitio Mangga, Barangay Mambaling to buy goods with his wife.

However, when they returned, they found out that their car’s window has been destroyed and all their valuables inside the car were missing.

The Gaduya’s lost a ladies bag worth P3,000; a ladies purse worth P3,500;  an iPhone 5 worth P20,000; eye glasses at P12,000; cash P7,000 and cards and ID’s. 

Meanwhile, at around 8:45 p.m., Rolando Ouano, 51, of Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City went to the Mambaling Police Station, together with his family, and alleged that his KIA Sorrento car was burglarized at the parking area of the restaurant they were having dinner in.

The Ouanos lost an iPhone 4 worth P15,000 and shampoo worth P1,600, which were left inside their car.

Almost an hour after, another victim showed up at the same police station and said she also lost her valuable items when her car was burglarized at the parking lot of another restaurant in SRP.

At around 9:30 p.m., the 27-year-old Lizerril Dejarme of Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City allegedly lost her personal items and three ATM cards amounting to P50,000.

In all three incidents, the burglars reportedly broke the back window of the cars to gain entry.

Senior Inspector Regino Maramag Jr., acting chief of the Mambaling Police Station, said as of yesterday, they were still having a hard time in getting a lead on who was responsible for the crimes since there were no closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed at the farmers market and in the parking area of the two restaurants.

Maramag said based on their investigation, one group could be behind all three incidents since the execution of the crimes was almost the same.

Based on their assessment of the incidents in the restaurants, Maramag said the robbers were possibly on board a vehicle, pretending to be customers since bystanders are not allowed to enter the establishments’ parking areas.

Maramag said the robbers might also park just beside their target vehicles, which are mostly newly-purchased.

“In our investigation, parang target nila ay yung mga bago. Kasi yung dalawang vehicles ng victims are still new. Yung isa nga, for registration pa,” said Maramag.

He said based on the traces of the broken windows, the robbers used glass cutters so that it would not make a sound when breaking it and the security guards posted at the parking entrance or at the exit will not notice them.

“Sa tingin ko, gawain talaga nila ito. These are professionals,” he said, adding the robbers carried out the crime swiftly.

Maramag said he already spoke with the management of the business establishments in their area of jurisdiction to let them aware of the “Basag Kotse” modus operandi, which he said, is something new in the area.

He also encourages business establishments to put up security cameras so they could help the police in the investigation when a crime happens.

“Kay lisod gyud kaayo nga wala gyud lead sa investigation,” said Maramag.

Maramag also said he will coordinate with the business establishments on what could possibly be done on the concern about minimal lights at parking areas to prevent such incident from happening again.

The first “Basag Kotse” incident at the SRP happened in June this year in which a businesswoman from Laguna, who was just visiting Cebu, lost at least P1.2 million worth of cash and valuables to thieves who gained entry to her rented car parked outside a restaurant.  (FREEMAN)