Two men remanded for robbing pre-paid vendor

The circuit court in Cape Coast, on Thursday remanded two men into police custody, for stealing at gun point GHC2,100 and a mobile phone worth GHC380 at electricity pre-paid shop belonging to Geogietta Koomson, at Abura, a suburb of Cape Coast.

William Gbedze, a 22-year-old petty trader, and Gershon Ahedor Francis a 28-year-old mechanic, both residents of Wiamoah, near Cape Coast Polytechnic, were charged for five counts of unlawful entry, conspiracy to commit crime, causing harmful damage, possession of fire guns without authority, and robbery.

The accused, who pleaded guilty, would re-appear before court on Thursday, November 1.

Chief Inspector Charles Anku told the court that on August 5 at about 2030 hours, the accused entered the shop and pretended to recharge their prepaid card.

The prosecution said when, Gabriel P. K. Aidoo, a friend of Koomson, confronted the accused, Gbedze pointed a gun at (him) Aidoo and ordered him to lie down, while Francis kept watch over him (Aidoo).

Chief Insp. Anku told the court that Gbedze ordered the victim to open the glass door of another apartment of the shop. The prosecution said when the victim refused, Gbedze assaulted her, crushed open the door with his leg, entered the apartment, and took the amount and Francis took the phone. The court heard that after the episode, Gbedze fired a warning shot to scare people from coming to the scene, and he together with Francis escaped with the booty.

Chief Insp. Anku told the court that on October 14, the accused, who were arrested by the police at a hideout in Cape Coast, admitted the crime.