Two women were arrested in Pampanga for their alleged involvement in a vehicle rental scam that led to the recovery of a Toyota Innova, the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) said.
The operation was conducted by personnel of the Provincial Highway Patrol Team-Pampanga after assisting a complainant at a convenience store in Barangay Calulut, City of San Fernando, at around 4:35 a.m. on May 11.
Authorities recovered a blackish red Toyota Innova with plate number NBQ-4823 and arrested two suspects identified as a 26-year-old woman from Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, and a 45-year-old woman from Imus City, Cavite.
According to police, the complainant, a 45-year-old man from Quezon City, rented out the vehicle to the suspects on May 10. Investigators later found that the vehicle was allegedly involved in a “rent-tangay sangla/benta” scheme, in which rented vehicles are pawned or sold without the owner’s consent.
The suspects and the recovered vehicle were brought to the PHPT-Pampanga office for documentation and further investigation.
Authorities said charges are being prepared for possible violations of the New Anti-Carnapping Act, estafa through falsification of public documents, the Anti-Fencing Law, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
PNP-HPG Acting Director Police Brig. Gen. Rommel Batangan said the case highlights the importance of immediate reporting and coordination with authorities in preventing vehicle-related crimes.
“The swift reporting of suspicious activities and immediate coordination with authorities significantly contributed to the successful recovery of the motor vehicle and arrest of the suspects,” Batangan said.
The PNP-HPG urged the public and vehicle rental operators to remain cautious in vehicle transactions and immediately report suspicious activities to authorities.