Tema, Jan. 24, GNA- A technician was on Friday put before a circuit court in Tema, charged with stealing an Opel Kadett saloon car. Richard Kobby Hagan, 29, pleaded not guilty to stealing and causing damage and he will reappear on January 30, 2004. ASP Robert Aganiba told the court presided over by Mr Stephen Teye, that on December 12, 2003, driver of the vehicle parked the Opel Kadett and retired.

Hagan, who has been visiting the driver, went to his room while he was asleep, searched his pockets, removed the ignition key and drove the car off.

ASP Aganiba said Hagan drove the car towards Accra, and in desperation to escape, he skidded off the road at a section of the beach road at Sakumono.

The vehicle somersaulted several times and got damaged. On December 12, 2003 the driver was told that his vehicle has been involved in an accident and was found by police patrol team. He rushed to the site and identified the vehicle. The driver consequently reported the matter to the police. GNA