Following the recent surge in car-snatching within Port Harcourt metropolis, the Rivers State Police Command has arrested seven members of a car-snatching syndicate alleged to have been terrorising the state.
The Police said the suspects were picked at different locations within the state following discreet investigation and surveillance.
Speaking while parading the suspects before journalists at the Command’s headquarters in Moscow road, Port Harcourt on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Emeka, said following the arrest of the suspects, their operational weapons and stolen vehicles were recovered.
Emeka said, “On Monday, at about 1230hrs based on an intelligence report, operatives of the Intellectually Surveillance Centre arrested one Samuel Chinedu ‘M’ with 16 different car keys at Redeem Church at San Wobo street.
“The suspect confessed to the crime. Investigation has since commenced.”
The Commissioner of Police added that another member of the gang identified as Tony Christopher, was arrested at Anyama car dump where he was attempting to sell off one of the stolen vehicle as scrap.
“On Friday, 20/10/2023 at about 2030hrs, Operatives of Mile one Division, arrested one Tony Christopher ‘M, at Anyama car dump, who removed a Jetta car with Reg. No. AJ 44 KMR parked at the
Education bus stop.
“The suspect was arrested with a master key while attempting to sell the vehicle as scrap before he was caught.
“The owner of the car has been contacted for identification and collection. Investigation is in progress.”
Emeka further explained that five other members of the syndicate were arrested while they were trying to snatch an e-hailing vehicle around Hotel Presidential junction in the state capital one Monday, last week.
“On 16/10/2023 at 2000hrs, while Operatives of Olu-Obsanjo Division were patrolling along Presidential Junction, sighted a bolt driver name later identified as Kelechi with four occupants, on approaching them, he stopped the car and pretended that the car was faulty.
“It was later discovered that they were trying to snatch the vehicle, so they were apprehended. Investigation is ongoing.”
Speaking of other feats of the Police, the CP stated that operatives of the Anti Kidnapping unit on Sunday, October 14 arrested three suspected kidnappers in Amala-Aba, Abia state and Oyigbo, Rivers State.
“On 14/10/2023, a victim name withheld came to the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the Command and reported that he was adopted by some unknown men on 19/9/2023 at about 2100hrs. He alleged
that they came with the pretext of buying a car, and forcefully took him to an unknown destination.
“Operatives of the Command swung into action through intelligence-led policing at Amala-Aba in Abia State arrest one suspect, two others suspects were also arrested at Oyigbo in Rivers State. The has been recovered. Investigation is in progress.”
The state Police boss further noted that following the Police sustained onslaught against criminals in the state, operatives during a routine patrol arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered his operational weapons along NTA road, Ozuoba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
“Rivers State Police Operatives, on Sunday, 15/10/2023 at about 1018hrs while on routine patrol along NTA Road, Ozuoba, sighted a black Toyota Corolla 2005 model.
“The said car was brought to the station. Upon search, a locally made revolver pistol with 3 X 9mm bullets and a cutlass were recovered.
“The suspect, Destiny Amma ‘M,’ 29yrs old, has been detained while a preliminary investigation is underway.”
