Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - Ondo State Police Command has arrested a
three-man car theft syndicate that specialised in using fabricated keys to
steal vehicles in Akure, the state capital.
The suspects, 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.
The CP said after stealing the vehicles with his Master keys, Akinsanoye
would then deliver them to Folajimi who 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.
“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 CP stated.
"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 said.
"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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