Crime & Punishment of Wednesday, 31 December 2008

Source: GNA

Two in police grips over the sale of impounded vehicle

Accra, Dec. 31, GNA - A security man stationed at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Impounding Yard who stole and sold one of the impounded vehicles on the eve of Christmas for 1,000 Ghana cedis has been arrested by the ministries police.

Speaking to the GNA in an interview, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Albert Fii Ochil, and District Commander of the Ministries District Police, said when the police apprehended Anthony Amatei, he had collected GH 400 cedis as part payment for the unregistered KIA Avela saloon car. He said on December 25, Mr. John Yentumi, a Director of the 24 hour Towing Service who was in charge of AMA impounding yard, had a tip off that Amatei was on the verge of selling an unregistered KIA Avela to Anthony Isaac Sackey, a trader, for 1,000 Ghana cedis.

Mr. Yentumi sent some people to watch the premises but when the people reached there the car was no where to be found. Mr Ochil said Mr. Yentumi reported the matter to the police and Amatei was arrested. During interrogation, Amatei confessed stealing the car. According to Amatei, he sold the car for GH 1,000 cedis to Sackey and he had collected part payment of GH 400 cedis. The police followed up and arrested Amatei who confirmed buying and retrieved it at Teshie.

Amatei and Sackey have been put before a Circuit Court in Accra. While Amatei is facing a charge of stealing, Sackey is being held for dishonestly receiving. They have both pleaded not guilty and the court has admitted them to bail in the sum of GH 90,000 cedis with two sureties to reappear on January 21, 2009.