A gang of criminals who specialise in stealing mobile phones have been busted by operatives of the State Intelligence Bureau of Bayelsa State Police Command.
According to the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Asinim Butswat, the syndicate specialised in disposing their victims of valuables inside a tricycle while pretending to be commercial riders.
Also, the police spokesman said men of the command recovered four tricycles, five iPhones, fourteen Android Phones, six button phones, amulets, and charms used on unsuspecting passengers.
The all male gang include Daniel Patrick 31, Oyinmi Gideon, 37, Abdulmalik Sa’adu, 22, Ebenezer Samuel, 37, David Ebikabowei, 27, and John Okon, 38.
Speaking further on the development, the police image maker disclosed to newsmen that the suspected phones thieves were all apprehended at different locations within Yenagoa Metropolis on September 7, 2023.
Before their arrest, Butswat said they operate effortlessly with charms in the area but their operation ended after sustained surveillance by police officers.
READ ALSO: How 21-year-old Allegedly Killed Wife Over Food In Edo
He said their activities in the area has caused mayhem and destruction as the criminal group is known for violently attacking their victims, especially those who hesitate before dropping their phones.
His words, “The suspects’ Modus operandi is to drive in pairs, one claiming to be a driver and the other a passenger, when they pick a genuine passenger, the driver distracts the unsuspecting passenger by arguing over transport fares, the other partner then steals the phone from the unsuspecting passenger.”
Consequently, they would sell the stolen phones to Abubakar Mallam, 37, AKA Danmallam, Ibrahim Ahmed, 25, and Iliya Isiaka, 40, at a give away price.
The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Tolani Alausa, calls on members of the public whose phones were stolen recently, to contact the Police Public Relations Officer for possible identification and recovery.
He noted that the suspects are cooperating with the Police in their investigation.