Suspected Car Snatcher Arrested With Gun

A 23-year-old suspected car snatcher has been arrested at Akinyele Street, Agege, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, for attempting to collect N350,000 being the proceeds of a Toyota Ram 4 Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, which he and other members of his gang had snatched from its owner.

According to a source at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, when the suspect was searched, a locally made double barrel pistol and one live cartridge were found in his possession.

P.M.NEWS gathered that the suspect, in company with his two accomplices robbed the owner of the Toyota Ram 4 SUV with registration number JJJ 535 AA at gunpoint.

They then contacted a prospective buyer (names withheld) who offered them N80,000 deposit. But before they returned for the balance, the buyer suspected foul play and contacted SARS.

The suspect was contacted on phone and informed that the balance was ready for him to collect. When he showed up, he was promptly arrested by operatives from SARS.

However, when the phone numbers of his accomplices were called, they were switched off, meaning that they had got wind of their friend’s arrest.

Sources at SARS led by SP Abba Kyari informed P.M.NEWS that the suspect had made useful statement that could lead to the arrest of his accomplices.

In his confessions the suspect claimed one of his accomplices who is now at large introduced him into robbery. The suspect said he is a driver, a native of Isale Osun area of Osogbo, Osun State, Southwest Nigeria.

He said: “When he invited me to follow him and Pepper to rob, I asked him which gun I will hold. He gave me this (his) gun. He went out and bought bathroom slippers, he cut it into the size of a gun. He then held that and gave me his gun.”

The suspect added that when they snatched the Toyota Ram 4 SUV, the buyer gave them N80,000 out of the N350,000 and told them to come back for the balance.

He claimed he did not know the residence of his town comrades in the crime.

Our correspondent learnt that the suspect may soon be arraigned for robbery and stealing.

–Ayodeji Dedeigbo