2 arrested for stealing 1-year-old baby

The Western Regional Police Command on Monday, arrested Rose Mawusi Fiaku, 42, and Lawson Lartey, 33, for stealing a one-year-old baby boy, Mawusi, at the Market Circle, in Takoradi, last Friday.

Rose, a seamstress, and Lawson, mason, believed to be living together at Effiakuma within the Effia Kwesiminstim municipality, were in police custody while investigations continued into the matter.

The Western Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Olivia Ewurabena Adiku confirmed the arrest to journalists.

She said that the police received complaint about the stolen baby from the mother, Harriet Eshun, last Friday.

DSP Adiku the police arrested the suspects at her hideout at Effia Kuma, at about 7 pm on Monday.

She said, although, Rose and Lawson denied possession of the child, the police heard noise of the baby in their room.

DSP Adiku said a reinforcement team from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit broke the door of the room and found the baby with his hair shaven there.

She stated that “the child had since been reunited with his family,” and the family was directed to take the baby to hospital for medical attention.

The Police PRO lauded the public for giving credible information, which led to the arrest of the two suspects.

DSP Adiku, however, cautioned the public to be wary of their personal security, and to avoid ‘striking’ easy relationship with strangers.

Harriet Eshun told the police that Rose Fianku, engaged her in a long conversation at a spot near the GHL Bank and TECHO phones at the Market Circle, in the central business district of Takoradi.

She said Mawusi Fiaku asked her whether her children were Ewes, and also their names, and as the conversation continued suspect played with the baby.

Ms Eshun said, Rose Fianku requested to buy pastries and sausage for the baby, but Rose did not return the baby.

Ms Eshun said when she went to the sausage shop, Rose Fianku and the baby were nowhere to be found.

However, Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras of a nearby bank, ‘captured’ Rose Fianku, clad in veil and cuddling the baby as she stole him from the Market Circle.

Meanwhile, the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis erupted with shouts of joy in the early hours of Tuesday when news broke that the suspects had been arrested at Effiakuma.

When the Ghanaian Times visited the Takoradi Market police station at about 6.30am Tuesday, an  anxious crowd had massed  up as people especially women struggled to catch a glimpse of Rose and Lartey, who were in the  cell.

Whiles some praised the police for the swift response, others uttered unprintable words against the two suspects, especially as the baby theft followed spate of kidnappings in the metropolis.

FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI