Crime

2 jailed 14 years for stealing rented vehicles

Two persons, who stole two rented vehicles, in 2018, have been sentenced to a total jail term of 14 years by an Accra Circuit Court.

Stephen Yaw Asiedu Debrah, 35, unemployed, was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment on four counts of conspiracy to commit crime and two counts of stealing.

His accomplice, Cephas Ofoe Sechie, a trader, was jailed six year on four counts of conspiracy to commit crime.

The court presided over by Mrs Priscilla DapaahMireku, however, acquitted and discharged Walker Osman, third accused in the case. Osei Bediako and other accomplices are said to be at large.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Agnes Boafo, said Richard Quansah was the first complainant, and Mr Collins Ansah, the second complainant.

The prosecution said Mr Ansah worked with Maxi Plus Ventures, a car rental firm at Legon, Accra.

DSP Boafo said Debrah resided at Osu while Sechie resided at La, Accra, and Walker Osman, aka Alhaji, is a labourer residing at Caprice, Accra.

Prosecution said on May  22, 2018, first complainant, Mr Richard Quansah, received a call from Debrah that he needed a car to rent.

DSP Boafo said Mr Quansah drove his Toyota Corrolla to Atomic Junction, in Accra, and he demanded Debrah’s photo ID Card, to enable him complete a car rental form.

Prosecution said Debrah introduced himself as a police officer, stationed at SWAT Unit of the Ghana Police Service, national headquarters, and showed the picture of himself in police uniform on his cell phone.

DSP Boafo said Debrah rented the vehicle for two days.

According to the prosecution Debrah called Mr Quansah for the renting of another vehicle, but he (Quansah) did not have any.

DSP Boafo said Mr. Quansah contacted the second complainant, Mr Collins Ansah, who gave out his  Toyota Corolla, which was handed over to Debrah.

The prosecution said Debrah asked for extension of time for the first vehicle (Mr Quansah’s vehicle).

DSP Boafo said police investigations revealed that Debrah gave Mr Quansah’s vehicle to Sechie to look for a buyer.

The prosecution said Debrah, Sechie and Osman asked Osei Bediako, now at large, to forge documents in the name of Sechie with his pictures fixed on the documents.

DSP Boafo said Osman led Sechie and Bediako to a witness, Awudu Mohammed, to secure a loan of GHC 20,000 and used the first car as a collateral.

The prosecution said Bediako went to Awudu Mohammed for GHC2,000 ‘top-up loan’.

DSP Boafo said when Mohammed took documents covering the car to the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA), he was told that the documents were fake.

Prosecution said Osman, Debrah and Bediako forged documents on the second car to secure another loan from one Arish Abdul.

According to DSP Boafo, Osman led Debrah to Arish Abdul to sell the second vehicle together with the fake documents, but he (Abdul) rejected the deal.

It said police investigations revealed that the second vehicle was sold to another buyer who gave same out for re-spraying. – GNA

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