The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a man accused of stealing an Uber car by deceiving the driver with a plate of pepper soup.
SP Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson for the command, confirmed the arrest.
According to Mr. Hundeyin, the incident unfolded when the Akinpelu Police Division received a distress call on July 5th at approximately 8:00 p.m. The Uber driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, reported that he had picked up a passenger named Isaiah from the NNPC Filling Station in Maryland. The journey was destined for a hotel in the Oshodi area.
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During their stop at the hotel, the suspect treated the driver to a meal of pepper soup and an energy drink. Taking advantage of a moment when the driver was distracted, allegedly looking for a cotton bud to clean his ear, the driver offered him his car key to use.
“After receiving the car key, the suspect purportedly went downstairs and drove off with the Toyota Corolla parked at the hotel,” Hundeyin explained.
Fortunately, a police team conducting a routine stop and search operation on Boladale Street intercepted the stolen vehicle. Upon interrogation, the suspect failed to provide satisfactory ownership details, leading to his immediate arrest.
Mr. Hundeyin added that as the officers were preparing to take the suspect to the station, the Uber driver arrived at the scene and positively identified his car.
The suspect is currently in police custody pending further investigation into the incident.
