Members of a syndicate that specialises in using tricycles to steal mobile phones have met their waterloo.
The suspects are Daniel Patrick, Oyinmi Gideon, Abdulmalik Sa’adu, Ebenezer Samuel, David Ebikabowei and John Okon.
They were arrested at different locations within Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, following sustained surveillance by Police operatives due to the surge in cases of mobile phone theft.
“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 giveaway price,” the State Police Spokesperson, SP Asinim Butswat, said.
Four commercial tricycles, assorted types of mobile phones and sundry items were recovered from the suspects.
