The Police Command in Ondo State says it has arrested a suspect who allegedly stole a vehicle and drove away without paying for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) worth N100,000.
DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command’s Spokesperson, who made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Akure, explained that the suspect stole the vehicle from his employer in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
Jimoh explained that the suspect was arrested following swift police response, intelligence-led investigation and effective collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Army.
According to him, the arrest followed a distress call received at about 11:59 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 9 from one Akin Thomas, in Epinmi, Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“Thomas reported that a motorist had purchased PMS worth N100,000 but allegedly drove away without making payment.
“The suspect, Bamidele Rowell Lodi, distracted the fuel attendant by asking him to fetch water before speeding away without paying for the fuel.
“Upon receiving the complaint, police operatives attached to Isua Division immediately mobilised, mounted route blocks and commenced a pursuit of the fleeing suspect.
“On sighting the police operatives, the suspect allegedly diverted onto the Ise–Ikare Road in an attempt to evade arrest.
“However, the pursuing officers sustained the chase and promptly activated operational synergy with personnel of the Nigerian Army at the checkpoint in Auga.
” Through this coordinated response, the suspect was intercepted and arrested for further investigation,” he said.
He, however, said preliminary investigation and intelligence gathering subsequently linked the suspect with the vehicle in his possession, which was reportedly stolen.
“Acting on the intelligence, investigators compared the chassis number of the vehicle in the suspect’s possession with the chassis number of the suspected stolen vehicle supplied to the police.
“The numbers were found to match, providing a crucial lead in establishing the vehicle’s identity and the circumstances surrounding its possession.
“Further intelligence indicated that the suspect was employed as a security guard by the vehicle’s owner in Port Harcourt and allegedly stole his employer’s vehicle before fleeing.
“The recovered vehicle and the suspect remain in police custody as investigations continue to establish the full circumstances of the alleged offences.
“We also need to verify the ownership of the vehicle, and determine whether the suspect may be connected to other criminal activities,” he said.
