'Rentangay' suspect arrested in San Juan

Authorities arrested in San Juan a man suspected to run a "rentangay" modus wherein he rents vehicles, does not return them, but instead sells them.

Also arrested was a driver who was bringing out a vehicle that was allegedly taken using the said modus and will be brought to Mindanao, according to a report by Katrina Son on Unang Balita on Wednesday.

The suspect identified as alias Lance was arrested by authorities in an entrapment operation.

A victim, identified as alias Marivic, a cellphone and accessories shop owner, earlier gave the suspect P220,000 in payment for a Honda Civic he offered to sell to her.

After a few days however, the suspect came back not with a Honda Civic, but with another vehicle.

The victim began to doubt the suspect and reported the matter to the police.

"Nu'ng bumalik 'yung suspect natin, ang dala niya, instead na Honda Civic, ay Innova na 2025," San Juan chief of police Police Colonel Anthony Gantang said.

(When our suspect came back, instead of a Honda Civic, he brought a 2025 Innova.)

"So sabi niya 'yung Honda daw ay parang nabenta na yata niya. So ito na lang 'yung bibigay niya, 'yung Innova. Pero magdadagdag siya ng P170,000," Gantang said.

(So he said that the Honda was already sold. So this is the vehicle he will give instead, the Innova. But the victim has to add P170,000.)

The victim then checked the vehicle's papers and found out that it was still under car financing and cannot be sold yet.

Authorities then proceeded to arrest the suspect.

Three vehicles were recovered from the suspect.

"Lumabas na marami palang nabiktima. Hindi lang siya ordinary na swindler. Kung meron siyang modus, 'yung tinatawag na 'rentangay,'" Gantang said.

(It turns out that the suspect was able to victimize many others. He is not an ordinary swindler. If he has a modus, it is what is called 'rentangay.')

Gantang added that one of their operatives stopped a driver who was bringing out a vehicle allegedly to be sold in Mindanao. He was likewise arrested.

The suspect said he was a former teacher, but investigation showed he was a former medical representative.

Other victims surfaced after the suspect was arrested.

Aaron James Obos, owner of one of the vehicles the suspect rented but did not return, said the suspect paid on time before.

The suspect was charged with violation of Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code or estafa or swindling.

Authorities said the suspect and the driver may be part of a larger gang operating using the same "rentangay" modus. —KG, GMA News