Taxi driver in police grips for robbing passenger

Page 39: Daily Graphic, September 21, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A 27-YEAR-OLD taxi driver, Simpson Quartey, has been arrested by the Odorkor police for allegedly robbing a female passenger.
Simpson was alleged to have robbed his victim of her purse, work ID card, GH¢87 and other valuables on September 7, this year at about 5:30 a.m. at Awoshie Onyinase when she boarded the taxi with registration number GR 4148 Y on her way to work.
A mechanic, who was working on the vehicle later called the telephone numbers of the workplace of the victim when he found the ID card and two religious books all bearing the name of the victim.
The victim then informed the police, who later arrested the suspect.
Briefing newsmen in Accra, the Odorkor District Police Commander, Superintendent Kwaku Asare said Simpson pulled a toy pistol at the victim at a spot and directed her to hand over all items on her or be shot.
He said out of fear, the lady handed over all the items on her including her work ID card.
He said on September 14, 2009, the taxi was sent to a mechanic shop for repairs at Mallam Blue Cross.
Supt. Asare said the mechanic saw the ID card and the two books all bearing the name of the same person and, therefore, decided to call the telephone number on the ID card to draw the owner’s attention since it was possible she might have misplaced them.
According to him, after the lady had informed the Odorkor police about it, the police went to the mechanic’s shop but did not find the caller.
Supt Asare said when the police followed up the next day, they met the mechanic who handed over the items to the police and led the police to the owner of the taxi.
He said the owner of the taxi, Mr George Aboagye, denied knowledge of how the items found its way into the car and led the police to arrest Simpson, since he was the driver of the taxi.
He said the police found a toy pistol under the bed of Simpson when his room was searched.
The Odorkor police boss said when the victim was invited to identify which of the three men, that is, the mechanic, the car owner and the driver, had picked her, she pinpointed Simpson.
Investigations are ongoing.