In Edo and Delta states, the Delta State Police Command has captured three individuals suspected to be part of a car snatching syndicate.
On Wednesday in Warri, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, revealed to the press that the police had recovered a total of 12 stolen vehicles from the suspects.
A suspect was apprehended on April 11 in Okpe Local Government Area of the state, with additional arrests made in Benin on Friday following information given by the initial suspect.
One of the suspects was accused of stealing a Toyota Corolla car using a master key from DSC township in Oruwhorun, Udu Local Government Area.
This car was then spotted on the Eku/Warri road near Oha junction in Okpe Local Government Area.
After receiving a report from a man claiming his car was stolen, the police swiftly took action by mobilizing patrol teams including community vigilantes, leading to the capture of a 47-year-old suspect and recovery of the vehicle.
Further investigations showed that the suspects were skilled in stealing parked cars.
Upon interrogation, the initial suspect led the police to arrest two more suspects in Benin City, aged 40 and 39, who were involved in altering chassis and engine numbers of stolen vehicles for resale.
They were also specialists in disabling car trackers, with a total of 12 suspected stolen vehicles recovered in Benin City and Warri.