Three suspected car snatchers have been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria police Delta Command.
Nigeriacrime.com gathered that the police also recovered arms and ammunition, stolen vehicles, car Engines and gearbox in the weekend operations.
According to Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, the success was consequent upon investigation on the recent neutralising of suspected kidnappers and recovery of one AK-47 rifle.
“The DPO Abraka Division again led operatives to comb the surrounding bushes where some of the suspects escaped into. The team, upon thorough search of the bush, recovered two AK-47 magazines, and fifty-two rounds of AK-47 ammunition used by the car snatchers.
“Investigation also revealed that one of the neutralised suspects poses as an internet fraudster (yahoo boy) and has been using the proceeds gotten from kidnapping to build a 15-room duplex around Orogun, Ughelli North LGA. The effort to arrest the other members of the gang is still ongoing.”
The police Image maker said that “The DPO Ughelli Division closely supervised by the Area commander Ughelli ACP Adebayo Ademola, on 16th June 2023 while acting on intelligence gathered arrested the duo of Phillip Ekugbe and Onome Erikefe both of Ekpan community Effurun who specialises in snatching vehicles from Warri and environs, take them to Ughelli where they disassemble and sell the vehicles in parts.
“Seventy-four (74) vehicle tyres, sixteen (16) vehicle engines, eight (8) gearboxes, fifteen (15) motor batteries, two (2) motorcycle engines and seven (7) suspected stolen vehicles have so far been recovered.
“The vehicles include one Toyota Corolla with reg. no. AJ 638 EFR, Toyota Carina with reg. no. WW 748 SL, Toyota Corolla with reg. no. DU 60 LSR, Toyota Corolla with reg. no. WWR 799 AE, Toyota Corolla with reg. no. KSF 758 DC and one unregistered Nissan car. The suspects are in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.
“In another development, the DPO GRA division received a distress call that on 30th May 2023, a man took his Benz GLK 350 to a car wash situated along Mariam Babangida way for washing but when he returned, he was told that one of the attendants had stolen the car and escaped to an unknown destination.
“On receipt of this complaint, the DPO GRA CSP Spencer Tyozua detailed detectives to embark on an intelligence-led investigation which paid off as the suspect named Emmanuel Chidera aged 22 years was arrested on 14 June 2023 around the magistrate court area in Asaba.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed that he had taken the car to Benin City in Edo state where he intend to sell the car. The vehicle has been recovered, and the effort to arrest his accomplices is ongoing.” The statement added.
Edafe further said that CP Wale Abass further admonished the DPOs to sustain the tempo while appealing to Deltans to trust the police and help with useful information at all times.