The Police in Delta has arrested a suspected four-man syndicate who specialised in stealing phones from shops and recovered nine phones.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe disclosed this on Monday in Asaba.
Edafe explained that the command had received series of reports on the stealing of mobile phones from shops in Asaba and its environs.
He said in view of the report, on July 25, operatives of the command acting on credible intelligence, arrested the four suspects including one female at their hideout along St. Brigid’s Road, Asaba.
The spokesperson added that nine new Android phones still in their cartons were recovered from their hideout.
According to him, the suspects are members of a syndicate who specialise in stealing brand new phones from retail shops within Asaba and its environs.
“The suspects have reportedly confessed to the crime. Efforts are ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate and identify the owners of the recovered phones.”
The PPRO explained that the modus operandi of the suspects was that under the guise of buying items from shops and supermarkets, they would use newspapers to cover the phones and take them away when leaving the shops.
“The syndicate engages the female suspect who waybills the phones to Lagos where their IMEI numbers are altered and then sold.
“The four suspects are in custody and will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded,” he said.
He said the state Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, has reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling all forms of crime.
He urged members of the public, particularly shop owners and business operators, to remain security conscious and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the police.