The police command in Delta has apprehended two suspected car snatchers in the state and recovered stolen vehicles from them.

The command spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe, told reporters on Sunday in Warri that the suspects were arrested by the police operatives attached to Ughelli Division.

Mr Edafe said the suspects were nabbed on Thursday, following ‘intelligently-gathered information’ about their criminal activities.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, had issued a directive to the area commanders and divisional police officers in the state to nip the increasing trend of car snatching in the bud. 

Mr Edafe said it was in response to the police commissioner’s order that the DPO, Ughelli division, closely supervised by the Ughelli area commander, ACP Adebayo Ademola, that the suspects were apprehended.

“Following a series of reported cases of vehicle removals from parking areas in Asaba, Warri, Ughelli and environs, CP Abass directed area commanders and DPOs to nip the trend in the bud.

“On June 15, 2023, the DPO, Ughelli division, closely supervised by the Ughelli Area Commander, ACP Ademola, while acting on the intelligence gathered, arrested the two suspects. 

“The suspects specialised in snatching vehicles from Warri and environs, taking same to Ughelli where they dismantled them and sold the vehicles in parts,” he said. 

The police spokesman said items recovered from the suspects included 74 vehicle tyres, 16 vehicle engines and eight gearboxes.

He said others were 15 motor batteries, two motorcycle engines and seven suspected stolen vehicles.

“The stolen vehicles included: four registered Toyota Corolla, one Toyota Carina and an unregistered Nissan car,” he said. 

According to Mr Edafe, the suspects are currently in police custody, adding that the investigation is ongoing. 

(NAN)