In the Olupitan area of Ore, located in the headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area in Ondo State, residents successfully apprehended a suspected “serial burglar” who goes by the name Sunday Joseph.
The arrest occurred in the early hours of Saturday, December 2, 2023, following reports of the suspect breaking into homes and stealing phones and money.
According to testimonies from residents speaking to the state-owned newspaper, The Hope, the alleged burglar had been a recurring threat to the community, managing to evade capture in previous incidents.
It was disclosed that the suspect had faced accusations of the same crime about two years ago but had managed to escape apprehension.
The community members revealed that the successful capture of the suspect was a result of the determined efforts of some robust youths in the area who subdued him as he attempted to flee. Despite initially denying any involvement in theft upon his apprehension, the suspect confessed to the crime after facing physical confrontation.
Kehinde Ajibade, a resident of the area, disclosed that an occupant of a specific house, who had harbored suspicions about the suspect, played a crucial role in capturing him before he could escape.
“Some years back, he was caught with the same act but he escaped. He used to disguise like a vigilante. And when people on the street asked him where he watches over? He would respond that he watches over the second street and since then, we have been monitoring his movement,” Ajibade explained.
“About 2 to 3 months ago, he resurfaced again in the same environment. When he came then, nobody knew him as a resident in the area.
“On Wednesday midnight, he broke into a house, removed the burglary window, and stole phones, money and some foodstuffs. And since then, the residents in the area have been vigilant. People started to suspect his movement and didn’t sleep with their two eyes closed, by just to catch him.
“On that fateful midnight he was apprehended, he came to that same house he had successfully robbed before. But unluckily for him, without a prior notice, residents within the area apprehended him. He later attacked some of the residents who pinned him down.
“Some residents in that house were able to recognize him. So, they approached him and challenged him that he was the person that used to come and steal phones, but he denied.
“Everyone in the house came out en masse that night to see the serial burglar who had been terrorizing their houses. Some instruments found with him included, hammer, chisel, knife, plier and wheel spanner.” he said.
It was further gathered that the suspect was admitted to the General Hospital in Ore, after he sustained injuries from the beating.
Meanwhile, the matter was reported to the police in Ore.
