DSP Bright Edafe, the Delta state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in a Sunday statement has revealed that the police in the state last week arrested some criminals who specializes in snatching cars in Warri and its environs, dismembering them and selling them in parts.
The PPRO disclosed that following increased reports on cases of car snatching in Warri, Asaba, Ughelli and environs, it became pertinent that the Police nip the crime in the bud as directed by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass.
He said the DPO of Ughelli Division and Area Commander, ACP Adebayo Ademola following credible intelligence arrested two suspects identified as Phillip Ekugbe and Onome Erikefe, both of Ekpan community, Effurun, Delta state.
The duo who have been taken into custody while investigation continues confessed to committing the crimes, while adding that asides snatching the cars, they also stole some of the cars from where they were parked at various locations in Warri.
Seven vehicles suspected to be stolen and recovered from the suspects dissemble site are: a Toyota Corolla with Reg no AJ 638 EFR, a Toyota Carina with Reg no WW 748 SL, a Toyota Corolla with Reg no DU 60 LSR, a Toyota corolla with Reg no WWR 799 AE, a Toyota Corolla with Reg no KSF 758 DC and one unregistered Nissan car.
Other items recovered from the suspects include: Seventy-four vehicle tyres, sixteen vehicle engines, eight gear boxes, fifteen motor batteries and two motorcycle engines.
Edafe also disclosed that in a similar development, a Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 stolen May 30, has been recovered and the mastermind of the crime, one 22-year-old Chidera Emmanuel arrested.
He said the owner of the the car had taken the car to a car wash situated along Mariam Babangida way, Asaba for washing but when he returned to take his car, he was informed that the attendant who washed the car had driven the car out and was yet to return with the car.
It later dawned on the owner of the car that the attendant had stolen the car and he quickly placed a distress call to CSP Spencer Tyozua, the DPO GRA, Asaba to lay his complain.
On receipt of the complaint, the DPO swung into action, and organised an intelligence led investigation with the aid of some of his officers, which led to the arrest of the attendant and suspect on Wednesday around Magistrate court Asaba.
The vehicle was recovered in Benin City, Edo state where Emmanuel who now in custody, had taken the car to sell while efforts have been put in place to arrest his accomplices and the prospective buyer.
CP Abass while reacting to the development appealed to residents in the state to trust the police and always provide them with informations that will help in the fight against crime as he promised their identities will be kept discreet.
The CP applauded the officers in the state and admonished them to intensify efforts in the fight against crime, till the state is safe for all.