The operatives of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arrested six people in different locations who specialized in using tricycles to steal mobile phones.
This was made known by the Police Command Spokesperson, SP Asinim Butswat in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Yenagoa, the State capital.
Butswat noted that the feat follows an upsurge in cases of mobile phone theft in Yenagoa in the State
The PPRO disclosed that the suspects, Daniel Patrick, Oyinmi Gideon, Abdulmalik Sa’adu, Ebenezer Samuel, David Ebikabowei and John Okon, were arrested at different locations within Yenagoa Metropolis, after sustained surveillance by Police operatives.
He said four commercial tricycles, assorted types of mobile phones and sundry items were recovered from the six-man gang.
“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, alias Danmallam, Ibrahim Ahmed and Iliya Isiaka at a give-away price.
“The Bayelsa Commissioner of Police, Mr Tolani Alausa, calls on members of the public whose phones were stolen recently, to contact the Police Public Relations Officer for possible identification and recovery,” Butswat said.
Butswat pointed out that the suspects were cooperating with the Police in their investigations and would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.
