CP Wale Abass
* Burst syndicate
* Recover huge stolen items
By Jon Egie
A robbery syndicate that specializes in church break-ins to steal musical instruments has been bursted by the Delta State Police Command with an arrest of two members of the gang by Operatives of Orerokpo Police Station of the Command.
The Orerokpe Divisional Police Headquarters of the Delta State Police Command arrested two suspects for their infamous strings of church break-ins in Delta State.
Police received information on Nov 17, at about 1600hrs about a break-in at Redeem Christian Church of God, a.k.a “Dominion Mega”, where several church musical instruments were carted away from the church.
Sequel to the report, the DPO Orerokpe Division, CSP Paul Obaware swiftly mobilized and led his Operatives to assess the scene of the crime. Afterward, an operation was planned and executed on the strength of the items that were carted away.
Two days later, one Patrick Emete posted one of the stolen items, amplifiers, for sale on his Facebook page.
Following the ads on the social media, detectives offered to buy the said item, lured and trailed the suspect to Effurun Roundabout, where he was apprehended at about 1304hrs of the same date.
The suspect, Patrick Emete, 36, of Ughoton community, confessed another of his associate, Alex Uwagbafor, 45, of New Era Clinic, Deco Road, Warri who was promptly arrested.” A statement issued by the Command’s PPRO, DSP Bright Edafe said.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are notorious and unrepentant thieves who specialize in burgling churches, shops, and homes.
Items recovered from suspects are twenty big loudspeakers; three generator sets; fifteen large mixers amplifiers; four keyboards; twelve power amplifiers; ten industrial standing fans; one complete drum set; one guitar; one power mic; two standing freeze; two plasma televisions; two home theaters; one washing machine; three stabilizers; three handsaws; one clipper; one microwave; one small oven; and one gas cylinder.
Meanwhile, as the investigation. progressed, a clergyman (name withheld) also alleged that his church was burgled. On Nov 30, at about 1632hrs, upon questioning, the suspects admitted and further led the operatives to Eburu Street Warri, where more stolen items were recovered.
These items include eleven big loudspeakers; five professional power amplifiers, six professional mixers; one Serato DJ deck; one Pioneer DJ deck; one plasma TV; four big generators; one generator without a tank; one power microphone set; one projector; two sets of English mini drums; and one big stabilizer.
“Frantic efforts are ongoing to recover more stolen items. The suspects are in custody and will be prosecuted accordingly, upon the conclusion of the investigation.” The police statement added.
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