The Ondo State Police Command on Monday, said it had arrested three persons who allegedly specialised in car stealing vehicles, using fabricated keys.
The police said the suspects include, Temidayo Folajimi, Rotimi Akinsanoye and Waheed Adekanmbi. The trio was arrested for alleged car theft, selling and buying of stolen vehicles.
Speaking on the development on Monday, the state Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, said the suspects allegedly formed a three-man syndicate of car theft.
To this end, Afolabi announced that using of tinted glass and covered plate vehicles had been banned in the state, saying criminals were using tinted vehicles to provide cover to perpetrate crimes in the state.
Afolabi stated that persons found wanting would be arrested and prosecuted in line with the law.
He noted that criminals are increasingly exploiting these methods to carry out their crimes and emphasised the need to clamp down on such practices.
“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 stated.
On the three suspects, the commissioner said they allegedly stole the vehicles from where they were parked outside the owner’s premises or on the road.
The CP said, “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 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 the name Temidayo Folajimi, aged 43, who led the police to one Rotimi Akinsanoye, aged 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 stolen vehicles out of the state. Also, Waheed Adekanbi aged 51 years is in custody, helping the police with the necessary information needed to confirm the veracity of the claim that the remaining vehicles have been destroyed and sold as spare parts.”
