Parañaque City police operatives have arrested four men who tried to sell a stolen car on Facebook Marketplace.
The Southern Police District identified the arrested suspects as alias Michael, 34; alias Julius, 49; alias Jonathan, 36; and driver Richard,35.
Police report showed a Malaysian man identified as alias Kenny, 32, reported that his black Toyota Alphard was stolen by his driver, Richard, while it was parked unattended in front of a convenience store at Aseana Square, Macapagal Boulevard, Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City on June 29 at around 10:46 p.m.
The victim told police that at around p.m. on July 4, he saw his stolen vehicle posted on the FB Marketplace and listed for sale at P2.8 million. He immediately coordinated with the seller and arranged a meet-up in Pasay city.
The victim was accompanied by police officers during the meet-up, which led to the arrest of the two suspects, Michael and Julius, who were both on board a motorcycle at around 1:00 p.m.. The driver of vehicle was able to elude arrest.
Richard, who was with Kenny during investigation, admitted his participation in the commission of the crime, saying he intentionally left the vehicle to be stolen by his accomplice alias Jun who later posted it for sale online.
During a follow-up operation, another suspect, Jonathan, who was identified by Richard as the mastermind behind the carnapping incident, was arrested at around 12:09 a.m. on July 5 in Barangay Sto. Nino, Parañaque City.
Recovered gun from one of the arrested suspect (Photo from Parañaque police)
The police recovered from Richard a .9mm pistol and two magazines with 16 live ammunition.
Police are still conducting operations for the recovery of the stolen vehicle, while the four arrested suspects were charged with carnapping and illegal possession of firearm.