Court sentence a self-imposed night patrol man for snatching phones

Akim Oda (E/R), Aug 26, GNA - An Akim Oda Magistrate Court has sentenced a self-imposed night patrol man who attacked and succeeded in snatching two mobile-phones valued at GH¢250.00 from two persons, to 24 months imprisonment in hard labour.

Zakaria Rahamani, 30, a scrap dealer, pleaded guilty to stealing, contrary to Section 124 (1) of Act 29/50.

An accomplice, Lukeman is on the run.

Police Chief Inspector Kwadwo Ahenkorah told the court presided over by Mr Albert Owusu Annor that the complainants, Master Eric Okyere and Ms Jeniffer Adomaa, were students who lived in the same house at Akim Oda, while the accused person also lived in the same town.

Chief Inspector Ahenkorah stated that on July 16, this year, Ms Adomaa attended an all-night prayer and closed the following morning at about 005 hours and therefore, called Master Okyere on phone to go and accompany her to the house.

He said on their way home, Rahamani and Lukeman, now at large, who posed as night patrol men emerged from a kiosk and demanded to know why they (complainants) were walking around at mid-night, adding that no sooner did they alter a word, than the accused persons pounced on them.

According to Chief Inspector Ahenkorah, in the course of the attack, Rahamani and Lukeman succeeded in snatching a mobile phone each from Master Okyere and Ms Adomaa, and that when they were running away, Master Okyere shouted that he had identified them. As a result, they turn back and chased the complainants who managed to reach home and later made a report to the police.

He said on July 19, both complainants spotted Rahamani and caused his arrest and when the Police conducted a search in his room, chips for the two mobile phones were found.

He said the accused led the Police to Assin Fosu where the phones were retrieved.

Chief Inspector Ahenkorah told the Ghana News Agency later that efforts were being made to arrest Lukeman and, therefore, appealed to members of the general public who may know his whereabouts to volunteer information to the police.