A twenty eight year old man is in police custody following his arrest for the alleged theft of an Electricity Company of Ghana transformer in the Santasi area of Kumasi. An Adom Online report states that local residents caught the suspect as he was moving a dismantled transformer which is classified as essential public utility equipment. The apprehension occurred after community members noticed suspicious activity involving the heavy machinery.
According to accounts provided by GhanaWeb and Citi Newsroom the suspect was intercepted while attempting to transport the components to an unknown location for potential sale. Residents who witnessed the incident reported that the transformer had been significantly damaged during the dismantling process. This destruction caused local power disruptions according to statements attributed to community leaders in the area.
The Ghana Police Service received the suspect from the residents and have initiated a formal investigation into the matter. Official reports from the police indicate that the suspect will be processed for court on charges including stealing and the intentional destruction of public property. The Electricity Company of Ghana has previously issued warnings regarding the rising trend of utility infrastructure vandalism in the Ashanti Region.
The regional police command has commended the residents of Santasi for their vigilance but cautioned the public against taking the law into their own hands. While the suspect remains in custody his legal representation has not yet released a public statement regarding the allegations. Physical evidence including parts of the dismantled transformer is currently being held at the local police station as part of the ongoing criminal inquiry.