The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Bright Edafe, who made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday said that the operation was carried out on April 11 at about 4:32pm.
The Delta State Police Command has said that its operatives busted a car snatching syndicate in the the state and arrested three suspects after recovering 12 suspected stolen vehicles.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Bright Edafe, who made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday said that the operation was carried out on April 11 at about 4:32pm.
The police spokeswoman said that the raid was sequel to information from one man (name withheld) of Abuja Road DSC Township Oruwhorun, who reported to the police that his Toyota Corolla Saloon car was stolen from where it was parked in Oruwhorun.
The police said the Toyota Corolla car was sighted along Eku/Warri road by Oha Junction in the Okpe Local Government Area of the state.
He said that following the tip-off, DPO Orerokpe, CSP Paul Oboware, swiftly mobilised patrol teams alongside members of Oha community vigilantes and gave the suspects a hot chase to the army checkpoint at Orerokpe Junction and double-crossed the vehicle.
“Consequently, one Dickson Omage "m" age 47yrs of Post Office Road Effurun Warri was arrested, the vehicle was recovered, and a master key which the suspects used to carry out his nefarious activities was also recovered.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect and his gang are notorious for stealing cars from where parked both in the daytime and at night.
“Further investigation and interrogation of the suspect led to the arrest of two other suspects: Samson Ekwunwa 'm' age 40yrs and Kanebi Michael 'm' age 39yrs in Benin City on 19/04/24.”
Edafe said that the two suspects specialise in removing old chassis numbers and engine numbers and replacing them with new ones before putting the vehicles for sale and equally demobilizing vehicles with car trackers.
According to him, the 12 suspected stolen vehicles recovered from Benin City and Warri respectively with registration and chassis numbers include Toyota Corolla – REG. No: SAG 625 AT, Chassis No:2T1BR32E040135167; Toyota Corolla - REG. No: KMR 965 AE, Chassis No: 2T1BR32F030700145; Toyota Corolla - REG.No KMR 963 AR, Chassis No: JTDBR32FX02011119; Mercedes Benz - REG.No: NIL, Chassis No: WDDGF810X19F271625; Toyota Camry V6 - REG. No: ABJ 681 HB, Chassis No: 4T1BF30K44U068578 and Lexus 350 RX - REG No: WWW 130 TA, Chassis No: 2T2GK311067C010488.
Other recovered vehicles are Toyota Camry (SPIDER) REG.No: WWW 913 TJ X, Chassis No: 4T1BE46K37U058354; Toyota Corolla - REG. No; FKJ 560 GJ X, Chassis No: INXB932E25Z354431; Toyota Corolla- REG. No: FKJ 744 CZ, Chassis No: 2T18R32540225038; Toyota Corolla - REG. No: NIL, Chassis No: INXBR32E90Z096084; Toyota Camry V6- RRG. No: EHR 48 AE, Chassis No: 4T1BF30K46U11562; Toyota Highlander REG. No: BRS 99 AJ, Chassis No: JTEGB650108007.
Edafe stated that “Investigation is still an ongoing effort to arrest other fleeing members of the gang is on top gear.
“The CP Abaniwonda Olufemi urges residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the Control Room or by visiting the nearest police station.
“He further added that by working together, the police and the public can create a safer environment for the entire populace.”