The car snatcher arrested in Koforidua on September 3, 2021, after spiking a drink for his victim Taxi driver, was wanted in Accra for a similar offense, according to the police.
The suspect, Evans Arhinful, 31, hired the taxi driver in charge of a taxi cab with registration number GG 2729-21 from Suhum to Koforidua.
As part of the modus operandi, allegedly gave the taxi driver a drink laced with an unknown substance.
The driver began reacting to the spiked drink by exhibiting wooziness, weakness, slurring among others.
The suspect took the driver to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment but while the victim was on admission at the ward, the suspect attempted to run away with the taxi cab but was noticed by a vigilant security man on duty who became suspicious and reported the incident to the Effiduase District Police
According to the Police Achimota Police Evans Arhinful, a driver by profession was the same suspect who intoxicated a taxi driver and made away with his taxi at Achimota on 7th July 2021.
On a fateful day, at about 6:30 pm, the victim, a taxi driver unsuspectingly picked the suspect from Shiashi to a hospital near Achimota.
Upon arrival at the hospital, he asked the driver to wait for a while, as he attends to a friend on admission. He added that on his return, he will send him to his final destination.
Suspect Evans Arhinful then offered the driver a drink whilst he waits for him.
Unknown to the driver, the drink had been spiked with an intoxicating substance.
The driver became unconscious, some minutes later after taking the drink. He woke up and realized that his vehicle, a Chevrolet Aveo with registration number GE 9457-21 had been taken away. All his efforts to locate the whereabouts of the vehicle yielded no results.
The case was reported to the Police.
The Police identified suspect Evans Arhinful as the culprit who intoxicated and stole the taxicab at Achimota after weeks of investigation.
His activities were closely monitored and were apprehended at Koforidua-Effiduase, when he attempted using the same mode of operation to steal another vehicle.
The suspect was brought to the Achimota Police. Investigation into the case is still ongoing and he shall be arraigned before court soon.
The statement by Police advised the general public that “Do not accept gifts, wrapped or unwrapped from strangers, regardless of their under no circumstance must you consume water, food or drinks offered by people you do not know.
Avoid long discussions on the phone when in public transport or standing at bus stops.
Stay vigilant at all times. Also, Parents, Teachers, and Guardians are encouraged to teach their children that; not all bad guys are men; bad guys can also be women. Also, not all bad guys come looking scary, bad guys can look very handsome and also beautiful.
Therefore, they must avoid talking to strangers and leave when approached by strangers, no matter how nice and friendly the stranger may look. To shout ‘NO’ and refuse treats (eg: sweets and toys) and free rides from strangers. On this note, security is a shared responsibility; the Police encourage the timely report of suspicious characters, or movements, of security interests, happening around you to the Police”
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
