Isulong Seoph Advisory: Ingat ‘wag maging biktima ng “Bukas Kotse”
July 23rd, 2006Isulong Seoph reports: EXPRESSWAY THEFTS
BUKAS KOTSE
Robbery is the leading form of major crimes today, which law enforcement has been busy dealing with. At present, incidents of “BUKAS KOTSE” is alarming in the area of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) affecting motorists traveling North and South bound who stop over at gasoline stations along expressway for food or use of rest rooms. According to the Police, there’s a syndicate operating along SLEX using expensive vehicles in their nefarious activities. They strike anytime at daytime and night time.
Knowledge of the techniques or modus operandi employed by these robbers is essential in order to protect your properties.
Modus Operandi:
Syndicate uses expensive heavily tinted vehicles, such as STAREX, Ford Explorer and the like, in their nefarious activities. They normally spot their victims at the parking area of food chain in gasoline stations along South Luzon Expressway. They would normally park their vehicle beside unoccupied parking space. While parked, member/s of the syndicate who are inside the heavily tinted vehicle would discretely wait for their victim/s, especially those who park beside their vehicle. Once they spotted expensive things or belongings inside their prospective car, they would tinker open the door and rob expensive belongings inside your car.
What to do:
- Never leave valuables inside your car in plain view, even if the car is locked. Put them in the trunk or out of sight or better not to leave valuables inside it. Even if your car is heavily tinted, because they can observe you when you get off your car, they could peek what you or your passengers have left inside and assess if it is worthy of their operation.
- Totally close your windows all the way up, as in some incidents, the robbers get to hook up the door locks thru the opening of the windows. Make sure that the gasket lining of your window is intact as they could also insert their gadget in this clearance to reach the door lock.
- Even if you’re rushed, look around before you get out of your car and stay alert to your surroundings. Test all your doors if properly locked
- Before leaving your home, make sure you have inside your car, whatever you need during your travel on the road to avoid opening your vehicle trunk during stop over especially if you have expensive things inside your trunk such as appliances, suitcase, laptops (very attractive!) and the like.
- Don’t hesitate to ask favor from any Security personnel on duty near the area to share his attention to your car.
DISAPPEARING BAGS/WALLETS
If you will observe the food chain in the Gasoline Stations along the Expressway, almost all have glass walls which make you an easy target for these robbers. Security Guards hired by these Gasoline Stations and by individual Fast Food Stores claim that in spite of several incidents where they catch these robbers and turn them over to the Police, almost all easily get bailed out, which is an indication that these Robbers are members of a Syndicate.
Modus Operandi:
- The Syndicate comes altogether in one vehicle and stops at each gasoline station along the expressway.
- Monitors the fast food store and spots a victim (could be you, your husband or any family member) sitting in one of these restaurants with his/her own or companion’s bag beside him/her.
- They come in a group of at least 3 with the ffg roles:
- Entertainer – who diverts your attention
- Sweeper – discretely picks up the bag or wallet while your or your companion’s attention is on the “entertainer”.
- Look-out – observes anybody in the area including the Security Guard who might notice their activity to warn their group. This one may be more than one person.
What to do:
- Do not leave your bag or wallet with your companion (esp a child) left sitting in the restaurant while you go to the Rest Room… or get your orders… or go to another Shop. Or if you do, make sure that he/she holds it on his/her lap.
- While eating, place your bag in front of you… or on your lap… or on or underneath the table, if it is surrounded by your own group members making sure it is visible should an outsider reach for it
- Observe your surroundings Be alert for diversion tactics. You will notice them because they are normally loud trying to create a scene or a simple act that will force you to look at the other direction from your things such as finding a dollar or a peso bill on the floor near your seat, “accidentally” tripped-off and spilling a drink near you.
- If you have spotted one working on somebody else, alert your companion discretely as this Robber doesn’t do it alone and find a way to discreetly alert the Guard.
If you have been victimized, report to the Security Officer of the Establishment and require them to assist you in reporting to the nearest Police Station.













