Stolen T-shirt exposes robbery suspect in Delta

A 27-year-old robbery suspect, identified as Stanley Okoh, is currently helping the Delta State Police Command in its investigation over his alleged involvement in raiding and burgling of a shop at the popular Ogbeogonogo Market, Asaba last Thursday.

It was gathered that the suspect was among a six-man gang of armed robbers that allegedly raided over six shops at the market and carted away handsets, clothes, money and other household items.

But nemesis caught up with one of the suspects (Stanley) few days after the incident, when he wore one of the stolen T-shirts to the market and was sighted by one of their victims who immediately raised the alarm.

It was learnt that after their successful robbery operation, the suspects had allegedly shared their loot and every member of the gang went away with sufficient stolen items, including T-shirts.

The suspect (Stanley), wearing one of the T-shirts on the fateful Thursday, had gone on an errand for his grandmother who was living around Ogbeosowa, few metres away from the market, to buy some food items.

As he was negotiating prices of the food items, a middle aged man believed to be in his 30s, emerged from a shop and after a close observation of the suspect, he was said to have identified the stolen T-shirts to be his own and raised the alarm that attracted other traders to the scene.

The suspect was said to have been arrested by the help of vigilante group members attached to the market after he was allegedly beaten by angry mob.

An eyewitness said the mob almost set him on fire before he was rescued and handed over to the police.

Confirming his arrest, the Chairman of Asaba vigilante group, Mr. Chuks Nnamdi, said the suspect upon interrogation, had said he bought the T-shirt from a trader and he knew nothing about the stolen items.

Nnamdi explained that the suspect eventually confessed to the crime and named his gang members to include; Joseph Otoh, Peter Nwinke, Frank John, Bassey Udoh and Lucky Spinner, after being thoroughly beaten.

In a swift reaction, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Celestina Kalu said investigation into the robbery at various shops in the market was ongoing, adding that efforts were being made to arrest other members of the gang.