Galamsey operator in stealing case granted bail

A galamsey operator who sold unrefined gold valued at GH¢6,000.00 to a gold buyer but snatched it and bolted in a waiting taxi has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢9,000.00 with a surety to be justified by the Tarkwa circuit court.

The accused, Kwadwo Twumasi, 30, pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing and would re-appear before the court on August 18.

Police Detective Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court, presided over by Mr. Alex Obeng Asante, that the complainant Samuel Asante, was a gold buyer at Hiawa near Manso-Amenfi.

According to the Prosecutor, on June 23, at about 1800 hours, the accused who worked at Hiawa but hailed from Obuasi, went to the complainant’s gold refinery shop at Hiawa with one person, who is at large, to offer gold valued at GH¢6,000.00 to the complainant.

Inspector Amponsah said after the accused and his accomplice had received the money and handed over the gold to the complainant, they snatched it and sped off in a taxi.

The complainant was shocked by the action, he said, organised some people on that same day to search for the criminals to enable him to retrieve the gold.

According to Inspector Amponsah, when the search party got to Hiawa Krofofrom, a village near Hiawa town, they had information that the accused and his accomplice had alighted from a taxi and entered the bush.

The accused and his accomplice were later seen by the complainant and a witness but they managed to escape through a nearby bush again.

Inspector Amponsah said the complainant then reported the matter to the Manso-Amenfi Police.

Two weeks later, the complainant had information that some armed robbers had been arrested by the Manso-Amenfi Police.

He, consequently, proceeded to the police station and identified the accused as the culprits.