Taxi driver jailed for stealing

Saturday, February 28, 2009 (Page 22 - MIRROR)

THE Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a driver who steals taxis at night and works with them till morning to four years imprisonment with hard labour.
Okai Laryea, 31, in whose possession keys of more than a dozen cars were found, was believed to have stolen the cars deep in the night, worked with them until he exhausted the fuel and later abandoned them.
In this instance, the convict illegally worked with the taxi for two days and enjoyed proceeds from it.
He was convicted on his own plea of guilt to one count of stealing.
According to the Osu District Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr Peter Yembilla, the convict was arrested at La Apapa, where he parked the taxi with registration number GR 2705 V.
The original driver, Mr Akortey Divine, had earlier reported to the Osu Police that his taxi had been stolen after a day’s work.
The complainant had informed the police that he parked at his residence in Osu RE on February 17, 2009, but did not find it the following morning.
He subsequently reported the matter to the Osu Police after which an announcement was made through the media.
After the announcement, a witness called the complainant and claimed the car had been spotted at La Apapa.
The complainant in turn informed the police about the call he had received from the witness.
The police, therefore, followed up and arrested Laryea at his residence and later observed that Laryea had exhausted all the fuel in the vehicle.
When questioned, Laryea told the police that a youngman by the name Emma brought the vehicle to him to work with.
He informed the police he did not know Emma’s residence and further claimed that Emma had instructed him to work only in the night.
Laryea also claimed that he had given the money that was accrued from the services of the taxi to Emma.
He, however, failed to lead the police to effect the arrest of Emma.
According to ASP Yembilla, different car keys were also found in the suspect’s room during a search.