The police command in Anambra State has arrested members of a suspected four-man snatching gang at Agu-Awka/Ifite-Awka area of the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Awka.

Mr Ikenga said that members of the gang who specialise in snatching tricycles and phones were arrested in the early hours of Monday during a police patrol in the area.

According to him, the Anambra State police operatives attached to Rapid Response Squad Akwuzu, in the early hours of Monday, while on night patrol along the Agu-Awka/Ifite-Awka axis, intercepted a tricycle and arrested a four-man criminal syndicate.

He stated, “They specialise in robbing unsuspecting residents, particularly students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, of their phones and other valuables.”

He said that the suspects were in the age bracket of 19 and 21 years, adding that exhibits recovered from them include nine brands of phones, including the victim’s iPhone, one laptop, two tricycles with registration number LSD 464 QP and BLF 552 VH.

He added that other items recovered from the suspects included four different tricycle plate numbers and a substance suspected to be hard drugs.

He noted that the suspects confessed to being part of a criminal syndicate that specialises in robbing students within Awka.

He said, “The suspects also revealed that the multiple tricycle number plates found with them were usually used to disguise their operational vehicles whenever they embark on armed robbery.’’

He added that the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, commended the operatives for their swift response.

Mr Orutugu also urged youths in the state to desist from crime, warning that the command would not relent in ensuring that criminals face the full weight of the law.

(NAN)