I stole my master’s car because he forgot my birthday – suspect

A 24-year-old who was apprehended by operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command, for allegedly stealing a Black SAAB Saloon Car, with registration number, AAA 581 CG, belonging to his helper, has said that he stole the car to punish him because he forgot his birthday. He also confessed that he is obsessed with the car and will continue to steal it.

The suspect, Richard Akinwale, was trailed from Iju Road, Fagba area, for about five hours by the RRS officers before he was eventually arrested along Wempco road in Agindigbi in Ikeja.

A dropout from Northern American University in Cotonou, Benin Republic, Akinwale broke into the living room of his victim, Adelabu Tolani, through the ceiling to pick the car keys and carted away the vehicle along with other valuables.

At the RRS headquarters, the suspect, who owned up to the crime, confessed that he stole the car and other valuables of his helper deliberately to punish him for forgetting his birthday.

In his words: “I was accommodated into the Adelabu’s home about five years ago. I was able to have been part of the Adelabus being friend to his wife’s brother right from the Church camp. Living with him and his family was a privilege for me.

“He sponsored my educational career before I dropped out from the institution at final year. His wife was also very supportive. But I deliberately committed the offence because they asked me to move out of their house.”

It was gathered that the suspect who had in the past stole the same vehicle along with other personal effects of the Adelabus pleaded for mercy from the car’s owner before the owner could secure his release at the Ogonbo Police division in Ajah area, where the case was initially reported.

“This was my second time I stole the car. The first time was on my birthday on July 8th, 2016. I took the car far away from their sight. I wanted to part ways with them with the car to start a new life on my own. I think I deserve the car because I had laboured for them for a long time, and they can’t just eject me out of that house like that. They must pay me back with that car”, he added.

The owner of the stolen vehicle, Tolani Adelabu said that he regretted lending out helping hands to the suspect by accommodating him under his roof.

“In fact, I am regretting to have rendered help to him. I don’t know any of his relatives. It was my brother in-law who brought him from our Church camp.”

Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relation Officers (PPRO), Superintendent of Police, SP Dolapo Badmus, said that all hands are on deck to rid the state of all nefarious activities.

The suspect has been transferred to Lagos State Task Force on Environment for prosecution.