Police arrests gang specialised in stealing, reselling cars.

Speaking to reporters, Commissioner Mindjom said the operation leading to their was carried out following a complaint by a vehicle owner, Bibiom Nestor, whose car was stolen around College Monti in Yaounde last January 4. 

She said investigations first led to the arrest of 36-year-old Kanmegne Tabouguia William who was caught in possession of the same vehicle. 

Commissioner Mindjom further detailed that at the time of the arrest, the bandits had changed the license and colour of the vehicle. 

The stolen vehicle, she said, also had new registration documents with a different chassis number, a unique identification number assigned to vehicles during manufacturing.

“The prime suspect told us that he buys from Sodepo Jean Vicky, a car parts dealer. The latter buys wrecks to dismantle them and then sells them as used parts, making sure that the seller also gives him the original registration document for the carcass purchased. By dismantling this carcass, he ensures that the chassis plate is removed and sold to car thieves,” Commissioner Mindjom said. 

How the gang operated

She said the suspects, steal vehicles and contacts 27-year-old Sodepo Jean who in return, assists in selling them. 

The group operates through the manipulation of documents of the stolen vehicle by producing new, usually fake ones which makes the identification of the cars by security officials challenging.

“The transaction is carried out by a means of producing a certificate of sale, prefabricated by a forger, who encourages the new buyer in good faith to produce another certificate of sale drawn up by the Police, thus laundering this car stolen from a third party,” she said.

Mindjom said the production of such a certificate by the gang makes it possible to have documents corresponding to the vehicle. 

She added that another member of the gang, 26-year-old Dong Rigobert, is also involved in the distribution of counterfeit money with his accomplices who are currently in detention. 

Suspects insist innocent 

All the suspects interviewed during the presentation insisted they are innocent. Jean Vicky said he is just a victim of circumstances due to his status as car parts vendor. 

Dongo Rigobert said he is taxi driver but got involved in the mess during an attempt to buy a new car which he was planning to use for ride-hiring services. 

Calls for double vigilance 

Commissioner Mindjom used the opportunity to urge the population to avoid falling into the trap of car thefts, by practicing high-level vigilance when purchasing cars.

“We are urging the population to be vigilant. Do not buy a vehicle without fully identifying the original owner. We should not buy from third parties,” she said.

“Also, always look at chassis numbers when purchasing. If a car is old and you discover that the registration number looks new when you are buying, do not go for it because that can only happen when the chassis of an old vehicle had been replaced before trying to resell to you,” she added. 

She equally advised the public to practice parking their vehicles in secured areas for safety, reaffirming the engagement and dedication of the police to put order in the sector.