SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The police arrested two carnappers along JASA Road, Barangay Dolores in this city on Friday.
According to the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), the incident occurred at around 6:30 p.m., leading to the arrest of the suspects: 34-year-old Reden, from Barangay Balingasay, Bolinao, Pangasinan, and 44-year-old Ryan, from Barangay Arnedo Tinomorong, Bolinao, Pangasinan.
The victim, 21-year-old Migs, reported that he was accosted by the two armed suspects, who forcibly took his black Toyota Land Cruiser.
The suspects allegedly pointed a firearm at Migs to seize the vehicle. As the suspects sped off, the victim attempted to stop them by reaching through the driver’s side window but was dragged and injured in the process, sustaining a wound to his left arm.
A motorcycle rider who witnessed the incident immediately alerted nearby police officers stationed along Lazatin Boulevard. The officers, with assistance from SWAT personnel in the area, pursued the suspects and intercepted the stolen vehicle in heavy traffic.
The suspects were ordered to surrender and were taken into custody without further incident.
Upon searching the suspects, authorities found a sling bag containing a loaded .45 caliber STI Edge firearm (serial number 287215) and a magazine with nine live rounds of ammunition, which was recovered from Ryan Onia y Salado.
Both suspects were taken to the police station for proper disposition. They are facing charges for carnapping, grave threats, serious physical injury, and a violation of the Omnibus Election Code.
Police Brigadier General Jean S. Fajardo, regional director of PRO3, commended the swift and coordinated efforts of the responding officers.
“This incident underscores the vigilance and readiness of our law enforcers in ensuring public safety. Their immediate intervention prevented further harm and led to the suspects’ swift arrest. We remain committed to maintaining peace and order in the region,” she stated.