Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a three-man car theft syndicate who specialised in using fabricated keys to steal vehicles in Ondo state capital, Akure.
The suspects who include, Temidayo Folajimi, Rotimi Akinsanoye, and Waheed Adekanmbi, were arrested for car theft, selling, and buying of stolen vehicles.
Speaking during the parade of the trio in Akure, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Wilfred Afolabi, explained that Akinsanoye usually picked vehicles from where they are parked outside their premises or on the road.
He said after stealing the vehicles with his Master keys, Akinsanoye would then deliver them to Folajimi and usually sell them out to auto parts sellers in Owode Onirin, Adekanmbi who would cut them into different parts and sell them off to unsuspected customers.
The police boss said the suspects confessed to removing two Toyota Camrys Popularly known as Tiny Light, one Honda CRV car, two Toyota Corollas 2003 and 2005 models, and two Toyota Corollas from where parked.
He, however, said two of the vehicles had been recovered while five others had been destroyed, butchered, and disposed of as spare parts by Adekanmbi in Lagos.
The CP said “A case of car theft (removed from a park) at Oke Aro, Akure was reported to the Police, and the vehicle was flagged down at the Licensing office. Two weeks ago, the vehicle was presented for registration at the Licensing office, and the Police were alerted.
” The man who came to register the car claimed he purchased the vehicle in Lagos at the rate of N4.3m from a car dealer by the name Temidayo Folajimi ‘M’ age 43 years who led the police to one Rotimi akinsanoye ’m’ age 38years.
“During interrogation, Rotimi confessed that he is the mastermind behind most vehicles stolen (removal from Parks) and confessed to having moved a total of seven vehicles out of the state.
“Also, Waheed Adekanbi ‘m’ age 51years is in custody, helping the police with necessary information needed to confirm the veracity of the claim that the remaining vehicles have been destroyed and sold as spare parts”
The CP, however, issued a stern warning to members of the public who use tinted windows or obscure their vehicle number plates.
He stressed that such actions provide cover for criminals to carry out illicit activities. “In light of the investigation, we strongly advise against the use of tinted glasses or covering vehicle plates. Anyone caught engaging in these practices will be arrested, and their car impounded,”
He noted that criminals are increasingly exploiting these methods to carry out their crimes and emphasized the need to clamp down on such practices.
He called on vehicle owners to secure their cars with tracking devices as soon as they are purchased, saying “If tracking devices are too costly, a better car lock should suffice.
“These measures will go a long way in discouraging car theft and helping to frustrate the efforts of criminals”.
The police chief concluded by urging the public to stay vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement to curb rising criminal activities in the state.
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