Police burst car theft ring in Rivers, arrest herbalist, 25 others

The Rivers State Police has arrested 26 suspects for being part of a car snatching ring operating in the State.

Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu announced that those arrested also included a juju priest allegedly involved in the gang’s activities.

The suspects were paraded at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt.

“For some time now, we’ve noticed that a lot of cars were being stolen and some robbed in town and we tasked officers of our tactical team and our investigators to move into it,” Disu said.

Disu noted his excitement for the arrests of the 26 suspects, Chidozie Anthony Onyekwe and Kelechi Uzokwe, as a “greatest joy.”

He identified Chidozie as the leader of the ring who was in Rivers to steal cars and also train others to do the same while Kelechi Uzokwe was described as an expert at disabling tracking devices.

“He’s linked to all the suspects here who have been arrested before for this same offence of stealing cars,” the CP added.

Disu revealed that nearly all stolen vehicles from Rivers State went through Uzokwe to remove trackers, adding that the suspect is a skilled mechanic.

He also disclosed that the stolen cars were reportedly taken to Mgbuka Obosi in Anambra State where they were dismantled and sold as scrap.

A total of 79 vehicles have been linked to their activities, and 11 stolen cars were recovered during this operation, Disu said.