Alleged carjack ringleader caught in Parañaque

MANILA, Philippines - The reported leader of a carjack group in Parañaque City was arrested near his house last night.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Nestor Pastoral accused Edilberto Cruz of leading the “Popo Group,” which usually operates in the cities of Parañaque and Pasay.

Pastoral told The STAR that Senior Police Officer 4 Alberto Sangalang and his men nabbed Cruz and his still unidentified cohort near Cruz’s house in Barangay Baclaran about 6:10 p.m., 10 days after they allegedly stole a Ford Everest with plate XLC-143.

According to Pastoral, Sangalang and his men had been monitoring Cruz since last week until he came home last night.

Sangalang said Cruz and his group are “notorious carjackers in the city” and witnesses would always point to them as the ones behind the incidents. He added that the group always targets sport utility vehicles.

Cruz will be charged with carjacking before the Parañaque City prosecutor’s office. According to Pastoral, Cruz had just been released from prison in January over carjacking charges.