Crime & Punishment of Sunday, 22 January 2017

Source: GNA

3 Drivers in court for robbery

The three are being held on the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and robbery The three are being held on the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and robbery

An Accra Circuit Court has remanded into custody three drivers for allegedly snatching at a gun point a taxi from its owner at Tantra Hill.

The three Kweku Asamoah, Richard Asare aka Paa Kofi and Emmanuel Agyapong are being held on the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and robbery.

They denied the charges but have been remanded into custody to reappear on January 31.

Prosecuting Chief Superintendent of Police Mr Duuti Tuaruka said Yaw Frimpong, the complainant is a taxi driver residing at Taifa, Accra.

Chief Superintendent Mr Tuaruka said Asamoah reside at Adjin Kotoku while Asare and Agyapong live at Asofan.

On January 13, this year, the complainant was driving his taxi cab with registration number GW 9026 Z. and on reaching the Ofankor Overheard, Asare signaled him to stop, which he did

Prosecution said Asare thereafter asked the complainant (the Taxi Driver) to take him and the other accused persons to Tantra Hill so the three boarded the taxi and directed the driver to their destination.

Prosecution said on reaching a spot known as Ola Street at Tantra Hill, Asamoah asked the driver (complainant) to stop for them to alight, the driver then demanded his fare, but in the process of collecting thet fare from the accused persons; Asamoah pointed a gun at the complainant.

Chief Supt. Tuaruka said Asamoah ordered the complainant (taxi driver) to get out of the taxi cab else he would be shot. The complainant obliged and Asare took charge of the taxi cab and they speeded off.

The complainant, prosecution said, rushed to the Mile 7 Police station and reported the incident to the Police who in turn informed their patrol team to look out for the missing vehicle.

Not quite long, prosecution said the Police Patrol team intercepted the vehicle and arrested Asamoah and Agyapong who were on board.

When the vehicle was searched the vehicle they found that one live BB cartridges and the gun used in the robbery had been concealed in the engine compartment.

Asamoah and Agyapong who mentioned their accomplice as Asare led the Police to arrest him (Asare) at Asofan.

The Police, prosecution said also retrieved BB cartridges hiding under the carpet in room of Agyapong.

The accused persons later admitted the offence in their cautioned statements.