Two women pawn rented car, arrested

CEBU, Philippines — The Highway Patrol Group in Metro Cebu arrested two alleged members of “rent-tangay-sangla” (rent-steal-pawn) gang during an entrapment operation Monday afternoon in Cebu City.

The suspects were identified as Lara Marie Rubi Mabale, 24, a resident of Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City, and Emma Carcedo Nacorda alias “Marites,” 45, a resident of Nivel Hills, Barangay Busay, same city.

According to Police Captain Saturnino Sedigo Jr., a businessman engaged in rent-a-car service appeared before their office and sought their assistance after Nacorda rented his Toyota Vios supposedly for a period of three days from June 7 to 9, only to fail to return the vehicle after.

With the help of global positioning system (GPS) installed in the car, the vehicle was traced in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City where it was allegedly pawned by the suspects.

Police said the owner was shocked upon learning that a fake official receipt and certificate of registration had been made under the name of Mabale.

Because Mabale allegedly asked for additional cash from the pawnshop, authorities then hatched and staged the entrapment operation at a burger shop on General Maxilom Avenue in Cebu City. The operation successfully cornered the two suspects.

Sedigo said they learned that Nacorda was in possession of a fake document in which she used the name “Marites”.

“Kadtong iyang gi-submit nga documents atong rent-a-car, peke sad to. ‘Marites’ iyang gigamit nga pangalan ato,” Sedigo said.

Aside from the businessman, another victim also appeared before Sedigo’s office and lodged a complaint against the suspects.

“Modus gyud ni nila nga abangan ang rent-a-car unya dili na iuli. Ila ning isuroy ang sakyanan, i-deal nila sa dalan aron ilang isangla,” Sedigo said.

Complaints for violation of Anti-Carnapping Act and falsification of public documents will be filed against the suspects. — JMD (FREEMAN)