Two washing bay attendants get 8 years for stealing customer’s Hyundai Santa Fe

The Amasaman Circuit Court has sentenced two washing bay attendants to eight years’ imprisonment each for stealing a customer’s Hyundai Santa Fe, valued at GH₵250,000.00.

Kwabena Tawiah and Bismark Asiedu, both 22, admitted conspiring to steal the vehicle, which belonged to Madam Agnes Azametsi.   

They also pleaded guilty to causing damage to parts of the car.   

Passing sentence, Ms Enid Marful-Sau, presiding judge, considered their admission of guilt, noting that they did not waste the court’s time.   

Meanwhile, Dennis Debrah, alias “Capone,” who was arraigned with them for dishonestly receiving the stolen vehicle, was found innocent and discharged.   

Police Chief Inspector Frederick Awuah-Ansah, presenting the facts, said Madam Azametsi, a businesswoman residing at Satellite, took her Hyundai Santa Fe to a washing bay on April 24, 2025, where Tawiah and Asiedu worked.

She handed over the car to Tawiah, informing him she was travelling to Accra and would return shortly.   

Upon her return later that day, she discovered that both Tawiah and Asiedu, along with the vehicle, had vanished.   

A report was made to Adjen Kotoku Police, and following intelligence and surveillance, the suspects were arrested at their Nkawkaw hideout on April 30, 2025, at 2100 hours.   

They subsequently led police to Debrah’s residence in Pemenasi, where the stolen vehicle was recovered, resulting in his arrest.   

The car’s bumper, fender mould, fog light, and petrol tank cover were found damaged, which Tawiah and Asiedu admitted occurred due to reckless driving.   

Further interrogation revealed that they had planned to sell the vehicle in Kumasi.   

En route, they removed and sold a jack, wheel spanner, and car rim for GHS100.00 to purchase fuel.   

Upon arrival at Pemenasi, they requested GHS2,000.00 from Debrah, who demanded the vehicle as collateral before granting them the funds.   

After investigations, Tawiah, Asiedu, and Debrah were charged and arraigned before court, resulting in the imprisonment of the duo.