A 37-year-old woman believed to be mentally challenged has been arrested by police in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region for stealing cash, clothing, and other valuables from residents in a local community.
The suspect was apprehended following a complaint by residents who returned home from a funeral only to discover that several items had gone missing from their rooms and living quarters.
According to accounts from the community, the woman allegedly took advantage of the absence of the occupants and entered a house while all the tenants were attending funeral rites elsewhere. Upon their return, the residents reportedly found that a number of personal belongings had been stolen.
Among the missing items was a bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash belonging to a mobile money vendor. Clothing materials and other personal possessions were also reported stolen.
Alarmed by the incident, residents launched a search for the suspect, who was later located and apprehended. Some of the stolen items were reportedly recovered during the operation, although police are yet to provide an official account of the recovered property.
The arrest has sparked discussions within the community, with some residents alleging that the suspect has previously been linked to similar theft cases in the area. According to them, this is not the first time she has been accused of stealing from households and residents.
However, the allegations regarding previous incidents have not been independently verified, and police investigations are expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case.
The suspect remains in police custody assisting with investigations, while authorities work to determine the extent of her alleged involvement in the latest theft and any possible connection to earlier reports of missing property within the community.
Residents have meanwhile been urged to remain vigilant and enhance security around their homes, especially during periods when large numbers of people leave the community to attend social gatherings and public events.
