Two washing bay attendants sentenced eight years for stealing
Presiding judge Ms. Enid Marful-Sau considered their guilty pleas, noting that they had spared the court the burden of a prolonged trial by admitting their actions.
The Amasaman Circuit Court has handed down an eight-year prison sentence each to Kwabena Tawiah and Bismark Asiedu, both 22, for stealing a Hyundai Santa Fe valued at GH¢250,000. The duo, who worked as attendants at a washing bay, admitted to conspiring to steal the vehicle, which belonged to Madam Agnes Azametsi, and causing damage to various parts of the car.
Presiding judge Ms. Enid Marful-Sau considered their guilty pleas, noting that they had spared the court the burden of a prolonged trial by admitting their actions. In a separate ruling, Dennis Debrah, also implicated in the case for dishonestly receiving the stolen vehicle, was found not guilty and discharged by the court.
The case, presented by Police Chief Inspector Frederick Awuah-Ansah, began on April 24, 2025, when Madam Azametsi, a businesswoman from Satellite, left her vehicle at the washing bay. She informed Tawiah that she would be returning soon. However, upon her return, the vehicle and both attendants were gone.
A report was promptly filed with the Adjen Kotoku Police, and through intelligence and surveillance, the suspects were tracked down to an Nkawkaw hideout on April 30, 2025. Tawiah and Asiedu led police to Debrah’s residence in Pemenasi, where the stolen vehicle was recovered.
Investigations revealed that during their attempt to flee, the suspects damaged the car’s bumper, fender mould, fog light, and petrol tank cover through reckless driving. They also admitted to planning to sell the car in Kumasi, where they had sold parts of it, including a jack, wheel spanner, and car rim, for GH¢100 to buy fuel. Upon reaching Pemenasi, they asked Debrah for GH¢2,000 in exchange for the vehicle, which he agreed to provide after taking the car as collateral.
The court proceedings culminated in the conviction of Tawiah and Asiedu, while Debrah was cleared of any wrongdoing after the court found insufficient evidence to charge him.
