A 37-year-old man was arrested after allegedly fleeing from separate hit-and-run and gas-and-run incidents that led authorities to launch a hot pursuit operation inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Tuesday.
The suspect, identified only by the alias “Berto,” was initially apprehended by personnel of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Law Enforcement Department before he was turned over to Police Station 3 of the Olongapo City Police Office.
Based on reports, SBMA law enforcers were first alerted by an SCTEX dispatcher about a gray Isuzu Crosswind with license plate NAI-8382 that allegedly hit and damaged property at the SCTEX Toll Gate in Dinalupihan, Bataan before escaping.
While officers were tracking the vehicle, another complaint came in from a Flying V gas station along Argonaut Highway, where the same driver allegedly refueled and left without settling his bill.
Authorities later spotted the vehicle heading toward the Central Business District, prompting the implementation of CODE 130, or the “Close All Gates” protocol, to stop the suspect from leaving the Freeport area.
A chase followed along Tipo Road, where the suspect allegedly attempted several times to ram SBMA SWAT personnel and patrol vehicles.
Law enforcers eventually shot one of the vehicle’s tires to stop it, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
Further investigation showed that the suspect had allegedly been involved in another gas-and-run incident before entering Subic. Police said he earlier refueled at a Clean Fuel station in Angono, Rizal and fled without paying P1,430.25.
The gas station owner reportedly tried to chase the suspect, but the driver sped toward the McDonald’s Aurora area and hit a motorcycle while escaping.
Authorities are preparing appropriate charges against the suspect.