Luck eluded a 30-year-old man who attempted to snatch a car from a nursing mother at Abofu near Abelemkpe in the Accra metropolis when he was apprehended by the police.

The suspect, Agyeman Kwaku Kodua, who claims to be a trader, is believed to be a member of a gang that snatches vehicles from their owners in some parts of Accra.

Their modus operandi, according to the police, involved expressing interest in vehicles displayed for sale and bolting with the vehicles after being allowed to test-drive them.

Investigations

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Tesano District Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Edward Tetteh, said the suspect was assisting the police in their investigations.

He said the victim, who had displayed her Mercedes Benz at the Achimota Mall for sale, received a phone call from Kodua who expressed interest in purchasing the vehicle.

Mr Tetteh said Kodua later agreed to purchase the vehicle at GH¢25,000 after negotiations with the owner.

Initially, he said, Kodua asked the victim to meet him at Roman Ridge with the vehicle. However, after waiting for some time at the agreed spot, the victim received another call from the suspect, directing her to another location near the Lincoln School at Dzworwulu.

Test drive

When they finally met, Kodua is said to have taken over the steering wheel, with the excuse of test-driving the vehicle, while the owner sat in the passenger’s seat.

Mr Tetteh said while on the test drive, Kodua attested to the fact that the vehicle was in good condition and that he wanted to buy it for his father.

The suspect then stopped and asked the owner to come and take over the steering wheel.

“Immediately she got down, Kodua sped off,” the commander stated.

The Vehicle he attempted to  snatch

Arrest

A Good Samaritan who was driving by  heard shouts for help from the victim and pursued Kodua until he caught up with him in traffic at Abofu where he raised an alarm to attract residents of the area to the scene.

Sensing danger, Kodua decided to abandon the car in the traffic and took to his heels. He was, however, pursued by the residents and arrested with support from a police patrol team in the area.

The Tesano Police Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police, Ms Lydia Donkor, advised the public to do thorough background checks before engaging in business transactions with unknown persons.

 

source:graphic.com.gh