In a significant breakthrough, the Delta State Police Command has successfully apprehended a notorious car-snatching syndicate, leading to the arrest of three individuals and the recovery of 12 stolen vehicles.
The accomplishment was disclosed in a statement by Bright Edafe, the Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, issued yesterday.
According to Edafe, the operation unfolded on April 11, 2024, at 16:32 hrs, following a tip-off from a concerned citizen residing in Abuja Road, DSC Township Oruwhorun. The informant reported the theft of his Toyota Corolla Saloon car from its parked location in Orhuwhorun, subsequently sighting the stolen vehicle on Eku/Warri Road near Oha Junction in Okpe LGA.
Acting swiftly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Orerokpe, Paul Oboware, mobilized patrol teams in collaboration with members of the Oha community vigilantes. They pursued the suspects, ultimately intercepting the stolen vehicle at the Army checkpoint in Orerokpe Junction.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Dickson Omage, a 47-year-old resident of Post Office Road, Effurun, Warri. Alongside Omage’s apprehension, law enforcement recovered the stolen vehicle and confiscated a master key believed to have been used in the commission of the crimes.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Omage and his accomplices were notorious for stealing cars both during the day and at night.
Further interrogation and investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects, Samson Ekwunwa, aged 40, and Kanebi Michael, aged 39, in Benin City on April 19, 2024. The duo specialized in tampering with old chassis and engine numbers, replacing them to conceal the stolen vehicles’ identities.
