Police Smash Car Snatching Syndicate, Recover 12 Stolen Vehicles In Delta

The Delta State Police Command has busted a notorious car snatching syndicate, arresting three suspects and recovering 12 suspected stolen vehicles.

The suspects, including a mastermind and two others who specialize in altering vehicle chassis and engine numbers, were apprehended following a tip-off from a victim whose Toyota Corolla was stolen in Orhuwhorun, Udu local government area of the state.

The police, in collaboration with community vigilantes, chased the suspects to Army checkpoint at Orerokpe Junction, where one of the suspects, Dickson Omage, was arrested, and the stolen Toyota Corolla was recovered.

State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe who confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, said that further investigation led to the arrest of two other suspects, Samson Ekwunwa and Kanebi Michael, in Benin City, who were found to be experts in removing and replacing vehicle chassis and engine numbers.

The recovered vehicles, including Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Mercedes Benz, Lexus 350 RX, and Toyota Highlander, have been identified with registration and chassis numbers.

Edafe said that the police are still working to apprehend other members of the gang and urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

Giving a graphic details of the arrests, he said, “On 11/04/24 at about 1632hrs following information from one man (name withheld) of Abuja Road DSC Township Orhuwhorun that his TOYOTA COROLLA SALOON CAR was stolen from where it was parked in Orhuwhorun and that the said TOYOTA COROLLA CAR was sighted along Eku/Warri road by Oha Junction in Okpe LGA.

“Sequel to the tip-off, DPO Orerokpe CSP Paul Oboware swiftly mobilized patrol teams alongside members of Oha community vigilantes and gave the suspects a hot chase to 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.

“The two suspects specialize 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.

“A total of twelve (12) suspected stolen vehicles were recovered from Benin City and Warri respectively with registration and chasis numbers.

“Investigation is still an ongoing effort to arrest other fleeing members of the gang is on top gear”.