Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have busted a car theft syndicate that specialised in stealing vehicles directly from the compounds of owners within the Akure metropolis.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, revealed that the command recovered a stolen Toyota ‘Muscle’ Camry and also arrested one suspect who allegedly bought the stolen vehicle.

According to Ayanlade, a report was filed on July 18, 2025, following a complaint made by one Bolanle Akomolafe, who reported that some unknown persons had unlawfully entered her apartment at the Osi axis of the Akure North Local Council Area of the state.

The police image maker maintained that the suspects stole the key to her golden-coloured 2010 Toyota Camry and made away with the unregistered vehicle, along with other valuable items.

He said, “Following diligent investigation and intelligence-led policing, operatives of the Command Surveillance Team, acting on credible information, successfully recovered the vehicle on the 7th of September, 2025, in Owo, where it had been repainted from its original golden colour to blue and concealed in the apartment of one Fagbote Micheal Olamilekan ‘m’.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that he bought the vehicle from one Adewumi (surname unknown), now at large, at the rate of ₦4 million, despite the vehicle having been previously purchased by the rightful owner on 26th December, 2024, at the rate of ₦10 million.

“Further investigations revealed that the suspect conspired with a painter who has been positively identified but is currently at large and who aided in changing the vehicle’s colour in an attempt to conceal its true identity. Both the painter and the seller of the stolen vehicle are actively being pursued by the police and will be brought to justice.

“The Command seizes this opportunity to strongly caution all automotive artisans, including painters, panel beaters, rewire technicians, and mechanics, to exercise due diligence and verify ownership documents before undertaking repainting, reconfiguration, or major works on vehicles.

“Any artisan who collaborates, knowingly or otherwise, in tampering with stolen vehicles will be treated as an accomplice and will face the full weight of the law. Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing accomplices and dismantle the entire criminal network behind the theft.”