The Ondo State Police Command has apprehended a three man car theft syndicate who specialised in using fabricated keys to steal vehicles in the state especially in Akure.
Speaking during the parade of the trio in Akure last Friday, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Olutokunbo Afolabi, noted that Akinsanoye usually picked vehicles from where they are parked outside their premises or on the road.
The suspects who include, Temidayo Folajimi, Rotimi Akinsanoye and Waheed Adekanmbi, were arrested for car theft, selling and buying of stolen vehicles.
The Commissioner of Police said after stealing the vehicles with his Master keys, Akinsanoye will then delivered it to Folajimi and usually sold it out to an auto parts sellers in Owode Onirin, Adekanmbi who will cut them into different parts and sell it off to unsuspected customers.
The police boss said the suspects confessed removing two Toyota Camry Popularly known as tiny light, one Honda CRV car, two Toyota Corolla 2003 and 2005 model, two Toyota Corolla from where parked.
He however, said two of the vehicles had been recovered while five others had been destroyed, butchered and disposed 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, 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 was 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 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 have 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.
