After nabbing a suspect in connection with a suspected car theft ring, police yesterday issued a warning to the public to be careful when purchasing cars advertised for sale in newspapers.

Police said they arrested a Jamaican national in connection with stolen cars found on Exuma. A senior police official previously told The Nassau Guardian that police found 18 suspected stolen cars on the island.

Police said the suspect was arrested yesterday on New Providence, but no further details were provided. As previously reported, a senior police officer said police suspect that the cars were stolen on New Providence, shipped to Exuma and sold to residents.

The official said there might be more cars on the island that are part of the scheme. "Police are issuing an advisory to warn members of the public about trying to 'get deals' from persons purporting to be legitimate business persons," said Superintendent Stephen Dean.

Dean said buyers should "be careful when answering newspaper ads and buying vehicles and other goods in this fashion". He said people should check the legitimacy of any goods before buying something that may be stolen. "Members of the public are advised if anyone approaches you with these deals, you are to call the police and remain anonymous," he said.

According to police, from January 1, 2013 to July 16, 2013, 624 cars were reported stolen in The Bahamas; 605 of them were stolen on New Providence.

For the same period in 2012, police reported 655 cars were stolen in The Bahamas. Police have said that Hondas are the vehicles of choice for thieves. People seeking to purchase a car should bring it to the Central Detective Unit or a police station to ensure that it was not stolen, police said.

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