Residents of Marine Base in Port Harcourt can finally breathe a sigh of relief after weeks of car thefts that had left the community in fear.
For several weeks, car owners in the area had woken up almost daily to reports of stolen vehicles, following the completion of an internal access road that inadvertently made it easier for criminals to operate.
However, luck ran out for one of the culprits on Tuesday night when he was caught in the act during another attempted car theft. His partner, identified only as Udo, an auto electrician from Akwa Ibom State, narrowly escaped arrest and is currently on the run.
The arrested suspect, said to be a panel beater from Osun State, confessed during interrogation to being part of a syndicate specializing in stealing cars within the community and reselling them through a network of buyers.
He has since been handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend his fleeing accomplice.
Residents commended the community vigilante group for their vigilance and swift response, expressing hope that the arrest will help end the wave of car thefts in Marine Base.
