Mechanic Remanded for Stealing Client’s Car and Damaging Key Parts
A 24-year-old auto mechanic, Alex Sarfo, has been remanded into police custody by the Dansoman Circuit Court for allegedly stealing a client’s Hyundai Elantra and causing significant damage to the vehicle.
Sarfo appeared before Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit on Tuesday, July 30, 2025, charged with stealing, contrary to Section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and causing unlawful damage, contrary to Section 172 of the same Act.
Chief Inspector Emeila Mensah, who led the prosecution, told the court that Sarfo worked at a mechanic shop in Banana Inn, Dansoman, owned by one Emmanuel Tagoe. In April 2025, a Hyundai Elantra saloon car, registered GC 9905-22 and owned by Emmanuel Amaglo, was brought to the shop for gearbox repairs.
In May, Tagoe assigned Sarfo to supervise the repair works. However, after conducting a test drive, Sarfo allegedly drove the car without authorization from Dansoman to Kwahu Asaaka in the Eastern Region. He later contacted his employer, falsely claiming the vehicle had broken down at Kasoa and requested money for repairs.
Prosecutors said Sarfo subsequently abandoned the vehicle at Kwahu Beposo and went into hiding. After several unsuccessful attempts to locate him or the car, Tagoe filed an official complaint with the police on July 8, 2025. Investigators later traced the abandoned vehicle to the Beposo lorry station.
Upon inspection, the car was found with extensive damage, including a destroyed gearbox and ignition system, with repair costs estimated at GH¢11,300. Sarfo was eventually arrested on July 25, 2025, at an MTN office in Dansoman. During interrogation, he admitted to taking the car to Kwahu Asaaka and abandoning it.
The court denied him bail under Section 96(5)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Act 30), citing the seriousness of the offence and the likelihood of interference with investigations. Her Honour Abdul-Baasit ordered that the case be expedited and remanded Sarfo into police custody.
The case has been adjourned to Monday, August 11, 2025, for further proceedings.
