Six Arrested As Police Bust Phone Theft Syndicate In Bayelsa

Operatives of the Intelligence Bureau of Bayelsa State Police Command have busted a gang of criminals who specialize in stealing mobile phones inside tricycles while posing as commercial drivers. 

Spokesperson of the command, SP Asinim Butswat, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, September 9, 2023, said operatives recovered four tricycles, five iPhones, fourteen Android phones, six button phones, amulets, and charms from the six arrested suspects.

“The suspects, all males namely; Daniel Patrick 31 years, Oyinmi Gideon 37 years, Abdulmalik Sa’adu 22 years, Ebenezer Samuel 37 years, David Ebikabowei 27 years, and John Okon 38 years, Were arrested on 7 September 2023, at different locations within Yenagoa Metropolis, after sustained surveillance by Police Operatives,” the statement read.

The suspects’ modus operandi is to drive in pairs, one claiming to be a driver and the other a passenger, when they pick a genuine passenger, the driver distracts the unsuspecting passenger by haggling over transport fares, the other partner then steals the phone from the unsuspecting passenger

“Consequently, they would sell the stolen phones to one Abubakar Mallam 37 years, AKA Danmallam, Ibrahim Ahmed 25 years and Iliya Isiaka 40 years at a give away price

“The Commissioner of Police Bayelsa State Command *CP Tolani Alausa psc, calls on members of the public whose phones were stolen recently, to contact the Police Public Relations Officer for possible identification and recovery. The suspects are cooperating with the Police in their Investigation.”

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