Businessman loses car to alien thief

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – A local businessman lost his precious car to an alien thief after parking the vehicle in front of his restaurant along Happy Glenn Loop here Monday noon and right in front of many people in the busy area.

The white Honda car of Tony Perlas, proprietor of the Red Lion bar and restaurant, was forcibly taken by a notorious foreigner, who is also known to the victim’s family after he reportedly took the keys of the vehicle that was hanged at the establishment’s counter, evaded responding employees and security guard and drove the vehicle away.

The suspect could not be located.

Senior Supt. David Q. Lacdan, director of the Baguio City Police Office identified the suspected carnapper as Steve John West, 33, a British national, who lives in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The car, which is bearing license plate number DKM-681, was already placed under alarm in different police stations nationwide so its whereabouts could immediately be traced that will lead to the eventual arrest of the suspect.

West, who is reportedly married to a lady from Sagada, Mountain Province, is reportedly a hardened drug user and pusher in the United Kingdom and is allegedly involved in a series of drug-related cases in Pampanga and Baguio, thus, the need to arrest him and face the necessary deportation proceedings as he is no longer desirable in the country due to his blemished criminal records, including the latest carnapping incident right in broad daylight.

Perlas admitted having cared for West when he had been visiting this mountain resort city but lately, he never gave in to his requests which might have prompted him to get mad, took his car and fled towards an undisclosed direction.

According to him, he will pursue charges against him to teach him a lesson and facilitate his immediate deportation so he will also suffer the consequences of the crimes he committed in Great Britain.

The businessman claimed the latest carnapping incident might affect the city’s local tourism industry but it also serves as a constant reminder for local residents and visitors to take the necessary precautions in protecting their vehicles and personal belongings when visiting the city although law enforcers are assuring that their presence in populated areas will help abate the commission of crimes.

Carnapping charges were already filed by the businessman against the foreigner before the city prosecutor’s office and that the same is awaiting disposition to ascertain whether or not the erring suspect will be arrested and deported through the intervention of the Bureau of Immigration which is also determining whether West has an expired visa.