The Yobe State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old man, Usman Ali for allegedly stealing over 200 cell phones and other valuables.
Command’s spokesman, ASP Dungus Abdulkarim, in a statement said the culprit was arrested on January 7, at about 6.00am by police detectives of the Crack Squad Unit after responding to a distress call from the ward head of Marfa-Kallam Village, where over four houses were trespassed into and many valuables carted away in one night.
According to him Ali and others specialised in intruding into unsuspecting victims’ houses at night and stealing all valuables they saw, ranging from cell phones, TV sets, money and jewelry, among others.
He added that the suspect patronised noodles and tea sellers spot or hang around with friends in the target area of crime, to observe the movement of people and other security measures.
Abdulkarim explained that when it was getting dark in the evening, they suspect and his gang members hibernate in some secluded location and come out at midnight to perpetrate their heinous acts.
He said they usually operate within the hours of 2.00am and 3.00am, sneaking into houses through doors, windows or other penetrable openings.
Abdulkarim revealed that the command had been trailing the culprit and his syndicate for a short while now and that he was one of the most wanted on the list.
The command’s spokesman disclosed that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect stole more than 200 cell phones over the years, and sold at a minimum price of N800 each.
