“Police Bust Car Theft Ring in Ondo, Recover Stolen Vehicles and Parts”

Rotimi Akinsanoye, a 38-year-old leader of a car theft syndicate, has detailed how he and his gang steal vehicles in Ondo State, dismantle them, and sell the parts in other states. Akinsanoye, who was paraded by the Ondo State Police Command in Akure, confessed to stealing seven cars this month alone, which were moved out of the state and sold for spare parts.

The suspect was arrested alongside his accomplice, Waheed Adekanbi, also known as Elubo. In an interview, Akinsanoye explained that the stolen vehicles were typically taken from parking lots where owners had left them. Among the stolen cars were two Toyota Camrys, one Honda CRV, and two Toyota Corollas, all of which were either dismantled or sold.

Five of the stolen vehicles were taken to Lagos, where they were butchered and sold as spare parts. Akinsanoye admitted to being the mastermind behind most of the thefts, which had been occurring regularly.

The police investigation began after a report was filed about a stolen car in the Oke Aro area of Akure. The vehicle had been flagged at the Licensing office, where it was presented for registration. The person attempting to register the car claimed to have bought it in Lagos for N4.3 million from a car dealer, Temidayo Folajimi. Folajimi, 43, led the police to Akinsanoye, who confessed to orchestrating the thefts.

Two of the stolen vehicles have since been recovered, while the others were dismantled and sold. Waheed Adekanbi, 51, is currently in custody, assisting the police in confirming whether the remaining vehicles were indeed destroyed and sold as parts.

The police commissioner, Wilfred Afolabi, assured the public that further investigation is underway, and additional arrests may follow as more details emerge.