Man Who Allegedly Stole Police Armoured Vehicle Ordered for Psychiatric Evaluation in Court
Suspect remanded as judge seeks mental assessment in armoured vehicle incident
- Court orders psychiatric evaluation for man accused of stealing police armoured vehicle
- Suspect allegedly drove off vehicle after officer briefly stopped for medication
- He has been remanded and will reappear in court on May 18, 2026
The Kwadaso Circuit Court in Kumasi has ordered a psychiatric examination for a 26-year-old man accused of stealing a police armoured vehicle at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region.
The presiding judge, His Honour Jephtha Appau, issued the order on Monday, May 4, 2026, without giving reasons in open court. This came shortly after the accused, Ebenezer Frimpong, pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing, contrary to Section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act.
Frimpong, an unemployed resident of Antwi Agyei Nkwanta in the Atwima Mponua District, was arrested on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, by personnel from the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit.
During his first court appearance on Friday, April 17, 2026, the accused reportedly appealed to the presiding judge to use his influence to help him join the Ghana Police Service, while also pleading for leniency.
According to Police Prosecutor ASP Albert Asagre, the incident occurred when a General Lance Corporal, Joshua Denkyi, was driving a police armoured vehicle with registration number GP 1131 to a workshop for servicing.
The officer reportedly parked the vehicle near the Nkawie market after developing stomach discomfort and stepped out briefly to purchase medication from a nearby pharmacy. It was during this time that the accused allegedly drove off with the vehicle towards the Abuakwa–Kumasi route.
An alarm was subsequently raised, prompting a coordinated operation by MTTD motor riders and SWAT personnel, leading to the suspect’s arrest at Mim, near Abuakwa.
Frimpong was arraigned before court and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He has since been remanded into prison custody and is expected to reappear on May 18, 2026, after undergoing the ordered psychiatric assessment.
