Stephen Quarm, a galamsey operator resident at the Takoradi Kokompe Light Industrial Area, on Monday appeared before the Takoradi Circuit Court “B” for allegedly stealing items valued at 4,240 Ghana cedis.

The accused pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of 6,000 Ghana cedis to re-appear on August 7, this year.

Prosecuting, Police Inspector Osuman Biney said Patricia Klutse, a fashion designer and the complainant, operate a boutique at the Takoradi Market Circle.

He said at about 0630 hours on June 10, this year, the complainant went to the boutique for the day’s business and discovered that the facility had been broken into and some items stolen.

Insp. Biney said the stolen items included six pairs of ladies shoes, 10 pieces of dinner wear, 12 children’s sandals, 10 ladies’ tops, 15 lacostes for men, 52 pieces of cloth and six ladies watches.

He said the complainant made a report to the Takoradi Market Circle Police, and on June 21, the accused was arrested at the Takoradi Beach Road Taxi Station.

He said the accused denied the offence in his caution statement but was charged after further investigations.