The police at Sunyani are looking for a Mallam, who is suspected to have been giving spiritual protection in the form of a padlock and pomade to members of a stealing syndicate against arrest.

This followed the arrest of Tanu Adamu, alias Wofa, a butcher and leader of the nine-member gang, including five women.

Also in the grips of the police is a 17 year-old girl, who failed to employ the charm ahead of a stealing expedition on June 15.

She was arraigned before the Sunyani community tribunal for stealing and escaping from lawful custody and remanded in prison custody to re-appear on July 24. Her plea was not taken.

Prosecuting, Police Constable Joshua Tetteh mentioned the complainants as Miss Catherine Ofori and Miss Rebecca Donkor, student and trader, respectively, living with the accused at Penkwase, a Sunyani suburb.

Constable Tetteh said there had been a series of thefts of washed clothing from drying lines in the neighbourhood.

He said on June 1, this year, whilst Catherine was away, the accused entered her premises and stole a quantity of women’s clothing valued at 215,000 cedis. He said initial investigations by Catherine revealed that the accused was the culprit, so she reported to the police who arrested the accused.

Upon interrogation, the accused admitted the offence.

The prosecutor said whilst in custody at the Regional Police Headquarters, the accused sought permission to visit the toilet but failed to return.

Inside the toilet room, the accused removed some of the louvre blades and jumped out from the second floor of the Police Headquarters in an attempt to escape but was arrested.

The prosecutor said as a result of injuries the accused sustained in her bid to escape, she was admitted to the Sunyani Regional hospital and later discharged and released on police enquiry bail on medical grounds.

However, she failed to report to the police.

While on bail, the accused on June 15 entered the house of one Donkor, and stole a quantity of ladies clothing. She was arrested and handed over to the police with the stolen items.

At the police station, the accused revealed the activities of the syndicate and the charms of the ‘mallam’ who, she said, fortified them against arrest.

According to the accused, she was caught during the June 15 expedition because she forgot to employ the charm.