By Linus Flomo
/BASSA
A wave of relief swept through Buchanan following the dramatic arrest of Prince Wilson, popularly known as “ERU,” a notorious gang leader accused of a string of criminal activities ranging from phone snatching to motorbike theft.
Wilson, who had been on the police’s wanted list for several months, was apprehended near K-Plaza in Buchanan by three courageous citizens acting on a tip-off.
The arrest took place in the early hours of Sunday after police issued a public appeal for assistance in locating the fugitive.
One of the civilians who participated in the arrest, recounted the tense moments leading to ERU’s capture.
Speaking to reporters at the Liberia National Police headquarters at the Buchanan fairgrounds, he explained that they received information that the suspect was in the vicinity of K-Plaza.
Upon their arrival, Wilson spotted them and attempted to escape on a motorbike before fleeing into a nearby residence.
“We didn’t back down,” the civilian said. “When he ran into the house, we went after him and brought him out. Then we turned him over to the police. It’s a big relief to get him off the streets.”
The resident praised the community’s efforts and vowed to continue working alongside law enforcement to help remove criminal elements from the county pointing out, “Now the citizens can sleep in peace.”
ERU’s arrest came days after Grand Bassa County Police Commander Williams Johnson announced a bounty of L$5,000 for any information leading to his capture.
The reward, provided by the County Administration, was intended to galvanize community support in the fight against crime.
Commander Johnson lauded both the brave citizens and Superintendent Karyou Johnson for their support in apprehending the suspect.
He emphasized that ERU had been a persistent threat to public safety, accused of terrorizing residents through a series of thefts and violent acts.
“The arrest of ERU is a big step forward,” Johnson said. “But we’re not stopping here. We are still hunting for several other dangerous individuals.”
Among those still at large are individuals known by aliases such as Big Vine, Red Line, Stone Tone, Garza, Ni Jah, Human Being Not Good, and Rape Body—figures believed to be part of a wider network of street crime.
At last, ERU is currently being held at the Buchanan police station and is expected to be formally charged and sent to court later this week.
The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in local efforts to restore law and order in Grand Bassa, and authorities are urging more citizens to cooperate in identifying and reporting criminal activity.
