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A notorious pickpocket, Ayomide Sikiru, has confessed to stealing and selling over 240 mobile phones in the last 14months.
Sikiru, who disclosed he operates only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, was arrested by men of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), after stealing a Tecno Camon 12 from the handbag of an elderly woman, while trying to board a bus at Ojodu-Berger.
In a statement confirming the arrest of the 27-year-old suspect, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, said: “ The suspect had after stealing the phone tried to alight from the bus but was restrained by a passenger who challenged him to return the phone he stole from the bag of the elderly woman to her.
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“ He denied stealing any phone until RRS officers stationed in Iyana Oworo searched and recovered the phone along with an iPhone 7 and another mobile phone from his bag. The owner of the iPhone had been contacted immediately.
“ Sikiru disclosed that he has been in the business of pickpocketing for a year and two months after learning the art in 15 days from one Sakiru. He noted that he operated only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
“ The suspect further disclosed that those days are busy periods in Lagos adding that he has picked over 240 mobiles phones from pockets and bags of Lagos commuters. He stated that he sold all the stolen phones directly in Akala. ”
Similarly, nine vehicles were impounded by RRS operatives, led by Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), who was in Agege to engage community stakeholders on the security situation in the area.
The PPRO said: “ the impounded vehicles included six danfos, a Toyota Hilux, Honda Accord and Ford pickup. The registration numbers are; GGE 240 XZ, SMK 696 YA, AAA 869 YD, LSD 322 GE, KTU 466 FH, JJJ 877 YC, AAA 773 XH, EPE 241 XZ, respectively, and an unregistered Volkswagen transporter. ”
