Koforidua, Sept. 19, GNA - Frank Appiah, an ex-convict released from prison barely a month ago has been arrested by the police in New Juaben Municipality for allegedly stealing mobile phones. Appiah described by the police as a notorious criminal had been on the police wanted list for harassing residents of Old Estate and Nsukwao, suburbs of Koforidua since his release. Police Superintendent John Naami, New Juaben Municipal Commander, told newsmen that Madam Lucy Annan, for some time now had been complaining of thefts, especially mobile phones in her house. He said on Thursday morning, Madam Annan was taking her bath when she heard dogs barking and being alarmed came out only to meet the suspect entering her room.

Police Superintendent Naami said the suspect upon seeing Madam Annan tried to run away but she raised the alarm and with the assistance of some people around arrested him and handed him over to the police. He said when the suspect was brought to the police station for interrogation and searched, four assorted mobile phones were found on him but he claimed they were his personal phones. Police Superintendent Naami said during interrogation, two of the phones started ringing but the suspect refused to pick the calls and the police suspecting foul play received the calls, which turned out to be distress ones from the phone owners trying to locate the whereabouts of their phones.

He said ironically one of the phones belonged to a woman in a nearby house who was washing and left it shortly after receiving a call to pick something from her room but when she returned the phone was nowhere to be found. Police Superintendent Naami said the woman initially suspected a young man who was around when she left for the room so during confrontation, the young man decided to call the woman's number with his own phone to prove his innocence. He urged the public to be alert and report strangers and unusual behaviours to the police for prompt attention to flush out criminals from the area to ensure public safety. 19 Sept. 08