Officials of the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS have apprehended a notorious thief identified as Tokunbo Ojo, an indigene of Aramoko, Ekiti State.
In a confessional statement, 49-year-old Ojo disclosed how he used a master key to easily break into parked vehicles during occasions such as wedding and funeral ceremonies.
The master key which a welder produced for him in 2013 was recovered from the suspect following his arrest on Tuesday, April 14, 2015.
He also told how he carted away with a whooping sum of N3.2 million from a car parked at the campaign rally of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
In addition, Ojo confessed how he stole laptops, phones and jewellery from other cars he opened.
Ojo, a father of two and resident of Agbotikuyo Street, in the Agege area of the state, told Punch how he usually dressed well and pretended to be one of the invited guests at functions before carrying out his evil deeds.
He said, “I used to work as a house painter. But in 2013, my work was no longer flourishing. So I developed the idea of using a master key to steal.
“I consulted a welder friend to make the key for me. I got it from him for N500. Since 2013, I had gone to high-class events for operations. I usually dressed like one of the guests and would mingle with other guests as if I was invited.
“Later, I would go out as if I forgot something in my vehicle. And I would proceed to one of the expensive vehicles where I suspected there would be valuables. The master key could open any vehicle.”
Explaining how he made away with PDP’s N3.2 Million, Ojo said, “The campaign rally was in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and it was the PDP campaign rally.
“I saw N3.2m inside one of the vehicles I opened. Nobody suspected anything. I used the money to get a Toyota Highlander. The police have taken the vehicle from me.
“My wife and two children did not know this was the work I did. I stole in order to survive. I regret my actions now. I wish I could be forgiven.”
It was also learnt that the suspect’s arrest at a public function in the state was instigated following a tip-off.
Investigations by the police operatives revealed that the suspect had accomplices who are yet to be nabbed.
Confirming the arrest, the police spokesperson of Lagos State, DSP Kenneth Nwosu,disclosed that a Toyota Highlander vehicle was recovered from the suspect.
He said, “The suspect confessed to using a master key to break into cars and sometimes steal money and other valuables.
“We also recovered a Toyota Highlander from him.”
