POLICE in Benin City, Edo State, have apprehended a five-man gang of armed robbers after a laptop stolen by the gang gave away one of them, leading to the arrest of others.
The gang were reportedly picked up at different locations hours after carting away from the apartment of a nursing mother three laptops, a palmtop, wallet and some other items at her apartment located in Uhunwu Street in Evbuomore community on Friday.
Other occupants of the 12-flat mini-estate, who were awakened by the robbery incident, placed distress calls to police and neighbours while the siege lasted.
It was further gathered that no sooner had the hoodlums fled the compound than men of Ugbowo Estate Police Station stormed the compound following the distress calls put across to them.
Luck, however, ran out for the armed robbers after one of them was arrested by police, who carried out a stop-and-search operation of vehicles at Ugbowo on the Benin-Ore expressway.
The move was said to have led to the arrest of one of the armed robbers after he could not prove ownership of the laptop found on him nor operate it.
Further interrogation reportedly revealed that the laptop was one of the three stolen in the nursing mother’s apartment.
The suspect was said to have led policemen to the residence of their kingpin who was arrested in the company of two women.
Edo State police commissioner Chris Ezike, confirmed the arrest of the robbers, assuring that the matter would be properly investigated
He said, “Yes, I can confirm that to you. Investigation is ongoing.”