Operatives of the Jigawa State Police Command have arrested a 35-year-old man for allegedly stealing a car from a dealer in neigbouring Bauchi State.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Lawan Shi’isu, on Monday, disclosed this in a statement in Dutse.
Shi’isu stated the suspect, a resident of Gwarinpa quarters of the FCT, was arrested at about 11:20 a.m. on Sunday by the police in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the state.
“On Sunday, at about 11:20 hours, a patrol team from Birnin Kudu Divisional Police Headquarters, arrested a 35-year old man of Gwarimpa Quarters FCT, Abuja, in possession of one Honda vehicle, white in color without registration number, strongly suspected to be stolen.
“All efforts to stop the driver proved abortive when the patrol men sighted the vehicle at a high speed from far distance as the driver was very anxious and refused to slow down.”
He added that while trying to dodge the police, the suspect smashed a cyclist, which resulted to the car being hooked and forcefully stopped.
Speaking further, Shi’isu said the suspect, alighted from the car and took to his heels, but was later arrested and brought to the station.
He said that the police had earlier received a distress call from neighboring Bauchi state that three unknown persons went to S Fawa Motors along Murtala Muhammad Way in Bauchi and pretended to buy the stolen car.
He said the suspects requested to test ride the car before payment.
“However, one of the salesmen insisted on going along with them and on their way, the suspected vehicle thieves forcefully expelled him and zoomed off with the car and left him stranded.”
The police boss said the rightful owner of the car had since been identified as Usman Zubairu of Federal Lowcost, Bauchi.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Emmanuel Ekot, directed that the case be transferred to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Police Headquarters Dutse for discreet investigation.
Shi’isu said the suspect would be charged to court on completion of investigation.
He also said that efforts were being made to arrest the fleeing suspects.
NAN