Brothers Jailed for Stealing Battery from Wrecked Truck in Agona Kwaman; Freed After 40 Days
Two brothers, Emmanuel Ghartey, 25, a chainsaw operator, and Bernard Ghartey, 23, a commercial tricycle rider, have been released from prison after serving over a month of a six-month sentence for theft, following intervention by the Crime Check Foundation and Ghana Unity Club.
The siblings were arrested in connection with removing a damaged battery from a truck involved in a fatal accident at Agona Kwaman. In an emotional interview with Crime Check, the Gharteys recounted how they joined a community group to rescue the driver, who tragically perished at the scene.
Three days later, believing the wreckage abandoned as scrap, they returned to retrieve the battery for personal use. Unbeknownst to them, local elders had received a tip-off about their plans and enlisted volunteers to monitor the duo.
Sensing they were being followed, the brothers abandoned the battery and fled back to Agona Kwaman. However, the elders promptly reported the incident to police, leading to their interrogation where they confessed to the act.
Despite pleas from the truck owner to drop charges, the Gharteys were arraigned and fined GH¢1,500 each, with six months’ imprisonment in default. Unable to pay, they served 40 days before the Crime Check Foundation, backed by Ghana Unity Club, secured their release by covering the fines.
The case serves as a stark reminder: Taking items from an accident vehicle without authorization constitutes theft. Community leaders and police urge vigilance to prevent such oversights from escalating into legal woes.
