A man in his mid-30s known as Destiny Asuquo a native of Oron in Akwa Ibom State is being detained in Okporo Police Station in Rumuodara under Obi/Akpor local Government area of Rivers State for allegedly stealing biscuits, gala and soft drinks after he broke into a shop at Chita Street, close to pipeline in Rumuodara Port Harcourt last Thursday.
Mr Asuquo who took to his heels on sighting the security officials was said to have been caught by vigilante members in the area after a hot chase.
A member of the vigilante, in an interview with National Network explained that an iron bar, packets of biscuits, gala and two plastic bottle of soft drinks were recovered from the suspect when a search was conducted on him.
The vigilante member revealed that the suspect who took them to the shop where he allegedly stole the items used an iron bar to break into the store.
In an interview with our reporter, the suspect blamed hunger for his action. Mr. Asuquo who claimed to be a plumber by profession, explained that he was unable to get job for a very long time and in order not to die of hunger he broke into the shop to steal snacks and soft drinks.
He stated that it was the first time he was indulging in a criminal activity .The suspect who pleaded for forgiveness stated that it was not in his character to steal but had no option due to hunger.
He was handed over to officers from Okporo Police station where he is presently being detained. The Rivers State Police Command is yet to speak on the matter as the Public Relations Officer, who is also a Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP), Nnamdi Omoni did not respond to text messages sent to him neither did he pick several calls put across to him by our reporter.
Meanwhile residents have expressed mixed feelings over the detention of the suspect by the Police. Some in a chat with National Network opined that the suspect should have been forgiven and advised not to steal again as items recovered from the suspect indicated clearly his intent of committing the crime while some were of the view that the suspect would have begged for alms instead of stealing.
