Ondo Police Bust Car Theft Syndicate, Recover Repainted Toyota Camry Sold for N4m and Arrest Buyer
Police in Ondo State have cracked down on a dangerous car theft ring. They recovered a stolen Toyota Camry that thieves repainted to hide it. The car sold for N4 million. They also arrested the buyer. This bust shows police are fighting hard against crime in the area.
The Theft: A Midnight Raid in Akure
The trouble started in Akure, the capital of Ondo State. Thieves broke into a home one night. The owner, Madam Akomolafe Bolanle, lost her prized car. She had parked her golden Toyota Camry outside. Her apartment had no strong locks or bars on the windows. The crooks grabbed the keys from inside. They drove off with the 2010 model car, called the “Muscle” version. It was not even registered yet. They took other items too, like phones or cash.
Madam Bolanle reported it right away. She felt scared and helpless. Who would target a simple home like hers? Police say these thieves watch for easy spots. They strike fast in the dark. Akure has seen more such raids lately. Homes without good security are at risk.
This car meant a lot to her. It was her daily ride for work and family trips. Now, it was gone. But police promised to help. They started a hunt for the vehicle.
Police on the Trail: Intelligence Leads to Owo
Ondo State Police did not waste time. Their Surveillance Team got tips from locals. They used smart policing tricks. On September 7, 2025, they found the car in Owo town. That is about an hour’s drive from Akure. The thieves had hidden it in an apartment. They changed its color from gold to blue. This was to fool anyone looking for it.
The team moved in quietly. They searched the place and spotted the car. It matched the details from the report. The repaint job was fresh but sloppy. Paint drips showed it was rushed. Police took photos and notes. They knew this was part of a bigger gang.
Owo is a busy spot for such crimes. Thieves use it to hide and sell stolen goods. Police have busted rings there before. This time, they caught the buyer too. No one escaped.
The Arrest: Buyer Caught Red-Handed
The main catch was the buyer, Ayo Akinpelu. He is 56 years old. He runs a beer parlour in Ondo State. Police found him with the car. He had paid N4 million for it. That sounds like a good deal. But it was stolen, so it was a crime.
Akinpelu confessed during questioning. He bought it from a man named Adewumi. That seller is now on the run. Police say Adewumi is part of the theft syndicate. He took the car after the break-in. Then, he sold it quick for cash.
The repaint guy also fled. He helped hide the car’s looks. Police are hunting both. Akinpelu did not know it was stolen at first. But he should have checked papers. Now, he faces charges too.
Police Public Relations Officer Olayinka Ayanlade shared the news on September 12, 2025. She praised the team’s work. “We act on good tips,” she said. Akinpelu is in custody. The car is safe at the station.
The Syndicate: How They Operate
This gang is no small group. They target cars in compounds at night. They scout homes first. Look for weak doors or no guards. Then, they slip in for keys. Drive away smooth.
Once stolen, they move fast. Take it to Owo or nearby spots. Repaint it to change looks. Fix any marks. Sell to buyers who want cheap rides.
They make big money. A car like this is worth over N10 million new. But they sell for half or less. Buyers think it’s a bargain. Some know it’s shady. Others get tricked.
Police say this syndicate hit many spots in Akure. They stole other cars too. Now, with one bust, more tips come in. Neighbors talk. They share stories of missing vehicles.
Past cases show the pattern. In May 2025, police caught four thieves. They sold a N12 million Camry for just N700,000. In January, three men got nabbed for scrapping cars. Ondo is a hotbed for this crime.
Public Reactions: Relief and Warnings
People in Ondo cheered the news. On social media, posts flooded in. “Good job, police! Keep our cars safe,” one user wrote. Madam Bolanle got her car back. She thanked the officers. “I can drive again without fear,” she said.
But some worry. “When will this stop?” a local asked. Beer parlour owners distance from Akinpelu. “Not all of us are crooks,” one said. They fear bad names.
Experts say syndicates grow with poverty. Young men join for quick cash. Ondo has job issues. Crime fills the gap.
Police chief warned mechanics. “Check papers before work,” Ayanlade said. Painters and fixers must ask for proof. No more helping thieves.
Bigger Impact: Safety Hits Home in Nigeria
This bust matters for everyday folks. Car theft scares families. In Ondo, roads are key for work and markets. Lose your ride, lose your day.
Economy feels it too. Stolen cars mean less trust in sales. People pay more for insurance. Mechanics lose good clients if they help crooks.
For youth, it’s a lesson. Join gangs, end in jail. Better jobs or skills pay off. Government pushes anti-crime drives. More patrols in Akure and Owo.
Women like Madam Bolanle feel extra risk. Thieves enter homes. Calls grow for better locks and lights.
Nationwide, car theft is up. Lagos and Abuja see worse. Ondo bust sets example. Other states watch.
Tech helps now. Trackers in cars ping police. Apps report crimes fast. But not all can afford them.
Politics ties in. Governors promise safe streets. Voters demand action. This win boosts police image.
Lifestyle changes too. Park inside if you can. Join neighborhood watches. Stay alert at night.
Looking Ahead: Justice and Safer Roads
Ondo Police vow more raids. They hunt Adewumi and the painter. Akinpelu faces court soon. Charges include buying stolen goods.
The recovered Camry goes back to Madam Bolanle. She will register it proper. No more golden shine, but it’s hers.
This case warns all. Crime syndicates fall when tips flow. Police urge reports. “We protect lives and property,” Ayanlade said.
For Ondo people, hope rises. Safer nights mean better days. Keep eyes open. Justice rolls on.
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