The Bono Regional Police Command has secured the conviction of four accused persons in connection with the theft of twenty-six laptop computers and other items from the National Identification Authority (NIA) office at Newtown, a suburb of Sunyani.
Investigations revealed that between January and October 2022, some persons unlawfully broke into the NIA warehouse in Sunyani on two separate occasions and stole twenty-six HP laptops valued at GHC 405,570.00, together with other office equipment.
On March 4, 2023, police arrested suspect Asante Anthony Junior, a student, at Newtown following a tip off from an anonymous person.
The suspect was found in possession of several items after a search was conducted by the police. The complainant later identified these items as properties belonging to the NIA.
Further investigations established that the stolen laptops had been sold to accused persons Ameyaw Eliezer, a mobile phone repairer, Jovies Amoh Afriyie, also known as Lord, and Dodzi Kwaku Gordon, while other accomplices remain at large.
The accused persons were subsequently put before District Court B in Sunyani. Suspect, Asante Anthony Junior was convicted on multiple counts and sentenced to two years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently.
The remaining three accused persons were convicted for dishonestly receiving and fined GHC 20,000.00 each or, in default, serve eighteen months imprisonment.
The Bono Regional Police Command assured the public that efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects and recover the outstanding laptops.
The Command also encouraged members of the public with relevant information to assist the Police in bringing all persons connected to the crime to justice.
