Man uses child in scheme to test drive, steal motorcycle

A man posing as police officer was arrested in an entrapment operation after selling online a motorcycle he allegedly stole.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Jun Veneracion, the suspect contacted the motorcycle owner, Patrick Novenario, supposedly to buy the motorcycle unit the latter was selling online.

During their meet up in Mabalacat, Pampanga on Tuesday, the suspect arrived with a child that he introduced as his nephew.  He then asked for a test run of the motorcycle, and as a guarantee that he would return, he left his nephew with Novenario.

The suspect, however, never returned.

“'Yung tini-testing na ang aking motor, hindi bumalik. Doon ko kinausap yung bata na natatakot na hindi niya daw po kaano-ano 'yung lalaki. 'Yung ginawa niyang kakuntsaba niya na wala naman pong alam, 'yung bata,” said Novenario.

After the incident, Novenario said he saw his motorcycle being sold online.  This prompted him to ask for assistance from the PNP Highway Patrol Group.

The suspect was immediately arrested during an entrapment operation in Bacoor, Cavite on November 1.

He said he committed the crime due to online gambling and that he only learned about the scam through a chat group.

“Nagastos ko po lahat ng ipon namin worth P150,000. Sa ilang oras lang po, naubos agad. Kaya ko nagawa 'yun,” said the suspect.

“Dini-deliver buo through online [ang motor], isinasakay sa sasakyan, tapos through G-Cash ang bayaran, tapos pina parts out din,” said PNP-HPG Cavite Chief Police major Gegeon Merza.

The suspect will face charges for carnapping and violating the anti-fencing law.

Meanwhile, the child has been safely turned over to his parents.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News