Car Wash Robbery: Car Owner Mows Down Gunmen In Owerri, Police Recover Pistol
Tension gripped the Aladinma area of Owerri on Wednesday after a dramatic chase ended with two suspected armed robbers being knocked down by their victim following a daring daylight robbery.
Operatives of the Imo State Police Command later swooped on the scene and arrested the suspects, recovering a pistol and seven rounds of live ammunition.
The suspects, identified as 29-year-old Solomon Ejekwe from Ubaha Orodo in Mbaitoli Local Government Area and 35-year-old Emeka Charles from Umuopara Ngugo in Ikeduru LGA, allegedly stormed a car wash at Mangrove in Aladinma where a man was cleaning his vehicle.
Police said the duo, armed with a pistol, confronted the unsuspecting victim and forcefully snatched his gold chain before speeding off on a motorcycle.
But the suspects’ escape plan quickly turned into a nightmare.
In a bold and furious reaction, the victim jumped into his car and chased the fleeing robbers through the streets of Aladinma. The dramatic pursuit ended when he rammed into their motorcycle, sending the suspects crashing to the ground.
Before police arrived, angry residents reportedly descended on the suspects, beating them severely.
Police spokesperson for the Imo State Command, Henry Okoye, confirmed that officers rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call from members of the public.
“The arrest followed a distress call reporting an armed robbery incident at Aladinma, Owerri. Acting swiftly, police operatives mobilised to the scene and successfully apprehended the suspects,” he said.
Okoye disclosed that the injured suspects were later taken to the police medical centre in Owerri for treatment.
“They will be arraigned in court with appropriate criminal charges as soon as investigations are concluded,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Audu Garba Bosso, praised the quick response of officers and the cooperation of residents, but warned the public against taking the law into their own hands.
He urged citizens to avoid mob action and allow law enforcement authorities to handle criminal suspects according to the law.