Man arrested for allegedly stealing television sets from hotels

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested one Joshua Philip for allegedly stealing television sets from several hotels in Benin City, the state capital. The suspect is alleged to have stolen televisions from four different hotels prior to his arrest. According to the Corps, Philip’s modus operandi involved checking into hotels as a guest […]

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested one Joshua Philip for allegedly stealing television sets from several hotels in Benin City, the state capital.

The suspect is alleged to have stolen televisions from four different hotels prior to his arrest. According to the Corps, Philip’s modus operandi involved checking into hotels as a guest using a fake name, address, and phone number. Once inside, he would remove the television from his room, conceal it, and disappear without checking out. In a recent instance, the suspect allegedly checked into a hotel in the Aduwawa area of Benin City, successfully stole a television set from his room, and secretly escaped. 

According to the Corps, luck, however, ran out for him when the hotel manager later spotted him in the Aduwawa neighborhood and alerted a nearby Corps patrol team, leading to his apprehension.

During an interview, the suspect claimed he was influenced by a friend to begin the thefts. He admitted to selling the sets for ₦20,000 each at a location on Aduwawa Road where he claimed drugs are commonly sold.

“I checked into hotels with a fake name and address. I would put the television inside a bag and move out of the hotel with it when the receptionists were not at their desks,” he confessed.

The Deputy Corps Commander, Richard Balogun, confirmed the arrest, adding that the suspect has been handed over to the police for prosecution.