A newly hired driver has allegedly absconded with his employer’s 2016 Toyota Camry just two days after securing the job, with police in Ogun State recovering the vehicle from a hotel in Ifo less than eight hours after the theft was reported.
The driver, identified as Waidi Olajide Kolawole, allegedly took the vehicle on September 9 after telling his employer that he was going to a nearby vulcaniser to repair a faulty tyre. According to the Ogun State Police Command, he instead drove away with the car and failed to return it.
The vehicle belongs to an Indian national based at the Ilupeju Industrial Estate in Lagos. After the owner reported the incident, the car was electronically tracked to the Ifo area of Ogun State, where the information was passed to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ifo Division, CSP Kamorudeen Olabisi.
Police surveillance and anti-robbery operatives subsequently traced the vehicle through several locations before finding it at a hotel in Ifo at about 8:30pm.
The police said Kolawole fled after sighting the operatives, taking the vehicle's ignition key with him. His alleged accomplice, Monday Adetunji, was arrested at the hotel.
Preliminary investigation by the police indicated that the suspects had allegedly approached a mechanic with a plan to remove the vehicle's catalytic converter. The mechanic reportedly refused to carry out the work, leaving the vehicle at the hotel where it was later recovered.
The police have secured the Toyota Camry while efforts continue to locate Kolawole and establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged theft. The investigation is also expected to determine the precise role of the arrested suspect and whether other individuals were involved.
Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers involved in the recovery, describing their response as an example of intelligence-led policing. He also urged vehicle owners to use reliable tracking devices and additional security measures such as steering and tyre locks.
The command advised members of the public to exercise greater caution when entrusting vehicles, property or access to their homes and businesses to newly employed workers. It also urged employers to conduct appropriate background checks before giving employees access to valuable property.
Hoteliers were similarly advised to strengthen their verification procedures, maintain accurate records of guests and vehicles and report suspicious activities to security authorities.
The rapid recovery of the vehicle demonstrates the practical value of electronic tracking when stolen property is reported promptly. However, the police investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the suspects have yet to be established in court.
Comments
Post a Comment