Asamankese, Jan. 30, GNA - Vincent Quaye, a 19-year-old driver's mat= e, was on Friday arraigned before the Asamankese Circuit Court charged with stealing a Mercedes Benz 207 bus valued at GH¢9,000. Quaye pleaded not guilty and was granted a GH¢1,000 bail to re-app= ear on February 22, this year.

Police Chief Inspector Xystus Okorey told the court that on October 29, last year Mohammed Abass, the complainant, gave the bus to his driver to go to work. He said the driver engaged the services of Quaye as a mate and they picked passengers to Suhum. On arrival at Suhum, the driver asked Quaye to wait in the vehicle while he got something to eat.

The prosecutor said on his return, the driver realized that both Qua= ye and the vehicle had disappeared. An eye-witness told the driver that he saw the vehicle moving toward= s Asamankese direction and with the help of another driver chased the vehic= le but were unsuccessful.

A report was lodged with the Police on October 30, last year. On November 25, in the cause of Police investigations, the vehicle w= as found abandoned in Cape Coast with some parts including tape recorder, speaker, battery, two jerks, a spare tyre, two driving mirrors and a set of tools stolen.

The vehicle was also found to be not road worthy with some parts damaged. On January 23 this year, the driver spotted Quaye at the Kwame Nkrum= ah Circle in Accra, caused his arrest and handed him over to the police. 30 Jan. 10