Police arrest man after stolen taxi gets stuck in traffic in QC
A 44-year-old suspect was arrested for stealing a car after he was spotted stuck in traffic along EDSA.
According to a report by GMA News' Unang Balita, the suspect, whose identity was not disclosed, was a passenger in a taxi that picked him up on Mindanao Avenue and was headed to Cubao. Per the taxi driver, the suspect also told him that they would pick up his cousin.
They passed along streets in Cubao until he was allegedly threatened by the suspect with an ice pick on Imperial Street.
"Tatlong kanto pinaglilikuan ko, no'ng pangatlong kanto...hindi niya makita 'yung kasamahan niya, sabi niya, 'Sige, dito na lang ako.' Akala ko huhugot ng pitaka magbabayad na, nagulat ako ice pick [ang kinuha niya]," the driver told the outlet. The driver managed to dodge and get out of the taxi to get help, while the suspect drove off until he was caught stuck in traffic.
"Nung naipit 'yung taxi sa traffic, inabandona ng suspect at nagpatuloy 'yung habulan on foot papuntang Q Mart," Police Lieutenant Colonel Joy Leanza said. He was later brought to the Cubao Police Station.
He admitted to stealing the car but explained that he was only supposed to borrow the taxi and did not mean to harm the driver, who is a senior citizen.
"Hindi ko naman po siya sinaktan. Pinababa ko po siya nang maayos, tapos 'yung gamit, cellphone, pera niya, pinakuha ko sa kaniya bago siya bumaba," the suspect said. "Nakatutok po ['yung ice pick] pero hindi para saktan siya."
According to the police, he had previously been arrested for a drug-related offense.
He was placed in police custody for violating the New Anti-Carnapping Act.