Crime & Punishment of Saturday, 4 July 2015

Source: GNA

Thieves raid Melcom shop at Aflao

Thieves broke into Melcom Ghana Limited Shopping Centre at Aflao on Thursday during a black-out, and made away with merchandise worth around GH¢ 20,000

This is said to be the second break into the shop, located within the premises of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), labeled a security zone.

A third attempt was, however, unsuccessful.

Items stolen included three 32-inch flat screen TV sets, two multi-TV decoders, two home-theatres, system units, some electrical appliances, curtains, bed-sheets, TV stands, suitcases and lots of provisions.

There have been no arrests so far.

Hope Zotu, 35, the night security officer on duty during the burglary, was detained for a while by the Aflao Police, but was later released on bail.

Mr Edem Agbenya, Manager of the Shopping Centre, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the suspects used the stairs on the one-storey building located within the Customs Division’ s packaging lot.

Mr Agbenya said they then broke the glass window to get entry into the shop.

He said during the first burglary, items lost were minimal, while the second was unsuccessful, adding that both incidents happened during black-outs.

Mr Agbenya said the company had decided to secure the store with burglar proofs.

Mr Caesar Abanga, Aflao District Police Commander, said it was mind boggling, no one including the security man on duty, got wind of the robbery, saying the security man on duty could be asleep.

He noted that after the closure of the borders at 10 PM daily, activities at the border ended, and general security slumped.

He said this situation must change to secure offices and vehicles there.