Church Robber Jailed 3 Years

A hardened robber, whose modus operandi is to break into churches in Kumasi and steal their musical instruments, has finally been apprehended and jailed three years In Hard Labour (IHL) by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly court.

Kwame Owusu Asumani, 23, who was charged with unlawful entry and stealing, pleaded guilty to both charges, and the Court, presided over by Her Honour Mary Senkyire, sentenced him on Thursday.

His arrest and eventual incarceration has been welcomed by church leaders and Christians in general as he is reported to have tormented churches in the city, especially in Patase and Kwadaso Ohwimase for many years.

The Suntreso District police, who arrested Kwame Owusu, are said to have initiated a manhunt for two other accomplices, Kobi and Striker.

Prosecuting, Chief Supt. Rev. Adane Ameyaw, said around 3am on Sunday October 20, 2019, Owusu forcibly broke into two churches at Kwadaso Ohwimase and stole some musical instruments, but was arrested by the vigilant neighbourhood watchdog committee members as he tried to flee with his booty in a taxi cab.

The police said the slippery suspect managed to escape arrest, but was rearrested at the Sofoline police Checkpoint. Electrical items, such as a musical mixer and keyboard were retrieved from him. He admitted stealing the items and told the police that on September 1, 2019, he also broke into some churches at Kwadaso Ohwimase and made away with two amplifiers, mixer console and musical equalizer.

According to the prosecutor, upon the arrest of Kwame Owusu, some churches at Patase also rushed to the police station to confirm that he had been tormenting them for a long time.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Police PRO, ASP Godwin Ahianyo, during a press conference on Thursday, said Owusu had been on their wanted list for other crimes, and would be arraigned again very soon.

He also said the police were leaving no stone unturned in their bid to arrest Kobi and Striker, who had been supporting Owusu in his activities.