Carnapping up 68% in the first half of 2014 – PNP

Two cars and 15 motorcycles on average are stolen daily as carnapping incidents nationwide rose sharply in the first six months of the year, the Philippine National Police revealed on Tuesday.

Latest government data showed that from January to June this year, 3,170 cases were reported, up 68.5 percent from the 1,881 cases were reported in the same period last year.

Motorcyles were the usual targets, with thieves making off with at least 2,866 motorcycles compared to 304 incidents of cars, vans and other four-wheeled vehicles stolen.

"These were higher than the statistics in 2013 when only 1.5 motor vehicles and 10.1 motorcycles are taken [daily]," the records read.

Chief Supt. Arrazad Subong, director of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG), said carnapping syndicates target motorcycles as they are usually parked along the side of the road.

Using a van, carnappers could snatch a number of motorcycles parked unattended along the streets, he noted. Regular motorcycles under 500cc are the favorite targets, he added, as they can be sold easily.

"There are few people with big bikes so it's easy to identify them," said Subong.

Subong noted that syndicates find buyers first before their operation. The unsuspecting buyers later purchase the vehicles, not knowing they were stolen.

"Carnappers are also businessmen. They want to make sure they will make money from every activity," said Subong. — Rouchelle R. Dinglasan/BM, GMA News