Soldier arrested for snatching taxi
A 25-year-old Lance Corporal of the Southern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces and his civilian accomplice have been arrested for allegedly using a toy gun to snatch a taxicab from its owner.
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The soldier, Lance Corporal Michael Quaicoe, and his former senior secondary school mate, who is currently a duty load equipment operator, Baffoe Archer, 24, are said to have tied the driver of the taxicab in a washroom at the Black Star Square in Accra and made away with the vehicle.
The taxi driver, whose identity is being withheld by the police, is said to have been found by a good Samaritan with his mouth, hands and legs tied with Sellotape.
Briefing journalists in Accra, the Deputy Accra Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Mr Timothy Y. Bonga, said at about 11 p.m. on December, 29, 2015, the two suspects hired the services of the taxi driver from Tudu to the Osu Castle, in Accra.
On reaching the traffic intersection near the head office of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr Bonga said Quaicoe, who was in a military uniform, told the taxi driver he would like to use the washroom in the Black Star Square.
“He, therefore, directed the driver of the taxicab, with registration number GG 717-15, to drive to the Black Star Square. Quaicoe then visited the washroom, leaving Archer in the taxicab with the driver,” he said.
Mr Bonga said shortly after Quaicoe had left, the taxi driver claimed that he returned with a pistol and pointed it at him.
He added that Quaicoe and Archer then ordered the taxi driver to get out of the car and hand over the ignition keys to them.
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“The two marched the taxi driver to the washroom and tied him up. They searched and collected GH¢20 and a mobile phone from him. The driver was then abandoned to his fate, while his taxicab was taken away by the suspects.
“The next day, the two suspects offered the taxicab for sale at Adabraka but a buyer of the car, who was suspicious of the deal, is said to have alerted the police leading to the arrest of the two suspects,” Mr Bonga said.
When the police paraded the suspects at the Regional Police Command, Quaicoe wept uncontrollably while claiming he was innocent.
He claimed the police were only basing their report on the narrative of the taxi driver.
Quaicoe who tried to wipe his tears while in handcuffs said the gun was a lighter which he used for lighting cigarettes anytime he smoked.
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“I am worried about my mother who might collapse after seeing my pictures on television or in the newspapers. I am not a criminal,” he said and he sobbed while the police investigators ordered him to save his comments for the court.
Writer’s email: emelia.ennin”@graphic.com.gh