A suspected burglar, one Jamiu Anisoro was, at the weekend, arrested by detectives attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSRAS, Ikeja, Lagos State Police Command, after he mysteriously got locked inside a car he had allegedly broken into.
Anisoro, said to specialise in stealing cars or properties inside the car using an iron rod sharpened and shaped into a key, had purportedly burgled a car in the premises of Mainland Hotel, Oyingbo, Oto Railway Ebute-Metta and got trapped inside it.
When the car owner came out, he saw Anisoro inside his car and alerted the police, New Telegraph reports.
As stated by a police source, “Anisoro specialises in opening vehicles with a master key.
“He got a rod and sharpened it into the shape of a key. His modus operandi is to watch motorists coming to Oyingbo Market.
“After the person parks, he would find out where the person is going and monitor him. He would go back to where the victim’s car is parked, but before heading to the targeted car, he would carry two bags, filled with used papers.
“He would use the master key to open the car door, pretending to be the owner or driver. He would pick phones, money and other valuables, drop the bags filled with old newspaper in the car and leave.
“People watching him would think he came to drop some items he bought inside his car; they wouldn’t know he is a burglar,” the police source disclosed.
Anisoro confessed to the police that he targeted victims in the morning and evening. He usually steals phones, wallets and other valuables inside parked vehicles.
As stated by him, he used to sell some of such stolen items at Computer Village, Ikeja.
“There was a time I saw a nylon inside a car at Ido, Oyingbo. The nylon was under the seat of a car I burgled. I found N150, 000 inside.
“I used part of the money to rent a house and the balance to buy tools for cobbling, which I wanted to start as a professional job.
“I ran out of money and decided to go for the last operation,” he also stated.
“The last operation was the one that landed me in police net.”
“On the fateful day, I trailed a car owner who drove into Mainland Hotel, Oyingbo. Immediately the man stepped out of his car, I followed him closely.
“Anyone watching would think I was the man’s driver or I came with the man. As the man walked into the hotel, I went with him into the hotel reception so I would be seen with him.
“Luckily, he booked a room in the hotel. So when he left the reception for the room, I quickly went to where he was packed and luck ran out on me.
“The rod already sharpened and shaped into a key, has opened many car boots and doors.
“Once it has opened a door, the door would become faulty and the master or normal key wouldn’t be able to operate the door again.
“I didn’t know what happened that after I got in using my key and have succeeded in stealing, the door refused to open,” Anisoro confessed.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Dolapo Badmos, while confirming the arrest, said the suspect will be charged to court soon, adding that investigations were ongoing.