A 30-year-old man was yesterday arrested for allegedly stealing 120 back-up batteries from telecommunications masts in different parts of Accra.
The suspect, Eric Kwame Addo, alias Joe Swimmer, was arrested driving a truck loaded with 72 of the back-up batteries.
Two of his accomplices, who are yet to be identified, however, escaped arrest.
Kia truck intercepted
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Madina Divisional Police Crime Officer, Superintendent of Police Mr Amos Yelisong, said on August 1, 2014, the police had information that a gang of men was removing back-up batteries from masts shared by the various telecommunications companies.
He said investigations revealed that the men used two Nissan pick-ups with registration numbers ER 3015-11 and GU 1936 -11, and a KIA truck, but enquiries at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) showed that the number plates were fake.
He said on August 10, 2014, the police intercepted a KIA truck, with registration number GS 7976-13, in front of the Accra Girls’ Senior High School being driven by Addo and loaded with 72 of the batteries.
Mr Yelisong said a bunch of keys, suspected to have been used to open the cabins in which the back-up batteries were kept, a bag containing implements for loosening the batteries from their hold, and a Nokia mobile phone, were also found on him.
More batteries stolen
Upon interrogation, the crime officer said, Addo informed the police that the gang had stolen 48 of the back-up batteries from two of the telecommunications masts located at Gbawe and Accra Central three weeks earlier.
The police also found out that the gang was responsible for the stealing of back-up batteries from two masts located in the Volta and Western regions.
Addo is currently in the custody of the Madina Police and he will be put before the Accra Circuit Court today.
Credit: graphiconline.com