Notorious Banana Thief Grabbed

Agrotse Korsi, the suspected thief

A NOTORIOUS BANANA thief who in recent times stripped   farmers in Asanti-Kpoeta, near Kpedze in the Volta Region of their labour is now in the grip of the police.   

Luck eluded Agrotse Korsi, 16, when a farmer whose bananas he had allegedly stolen arrested him withsupport from some townsfolk despite inflicting him with knife wounds and a bite. They handed him over to police after the fruit had been traced to a woman to whom he allegedly sold it.   

Two others, Alex Tsieblu and Tsakli Worlali believed to be his accomplices are on the run.   

Detective Lance Corporal Anthony Hanyabui, of the Anyirawase Police told Daily Guide the complainant, Christian Agordo first detected the theft of his bananas about two weeks ago; he discovered a second theft had taken place when he went to his farm on June 20 and decided to conduct his own investigation.  

He said the complainant later traced the bananas to a certain woman who mentioned the suspect as the one from whom she bought the fruits.

When the complainant contacted the suspect, he allegedly threatened him, D/ L Corporal Hanyabui explained.

He said the complainant later reported the matter to the Chief of the town who asked that the suspect be arrested.   

Thereupon, the complainant went to the suspect's house with a friend at dawn to arrest him but since no one answered the door after knocking for a while, he let himself in only to find the suspect in the corner of the room with a knife in his hand.

The Detective said the suspect allegedly rushed on the complainant with the knife, prompting him to run out of the room with a loud shout for help that drew neighbours to area. Those who were draw to the scene, after listening to the complainant's story decided to help him and his friend to arrest the suspect.   

He was overpowered by the crowd after he had allegedly bitten the complainant and inflicted a knife wound on his left thumb, and later sent to Anyirawase Police Station.

Police described the suspect as someone whose banana theft operations had caused grief to farmers in the area in view of reports lodged with them by residents.   

The suspect has since been remanded in police custody by the Ho circuit court pending processing for magistrate court.  

From Edem Adesi, Asanti-Kpoeta