The police at Atwima Mponua town of Nyinahin in the Ashanti region have arrested a corporal over alleged theft and causing property damage.

Corporal Lansah Umar, stationed at Asaam near Mampong, but on leave, is said to have broken the security door to the house of his colleague and stole some bags of cement with the help of an accomplice.

A resident in the Twere Nyame neighbourhood of Nyinahin is said to have heard an unusual and alerted other neighbours at about 11 pm on Monday, June 10.

The corporal and 25-year-old tricycle rider, Mohammed Seidu, reportedly used a pickaxe to destroy and break into a foreign-made security door of the room where 200 bags of cement was being kept.

The property belongs to a police driver, Sergeant John Opoku Agyemang who was on night duty.

The two fled the scene, leaving a tricycle behind upon seeing a police night patrol team that was called to the scene at about midnight.

Traces of the tricycle led to the arrest of Seidu who mentioned Corporal Umar as the other accomplice.

He led the police to the home of Umar who also admitted the offence and led the police to where he kept 12 bags of cement.

Evangelist Richard Ampah witnessed the arrest said, “I was at home at midnight then I got a call that someone has broken into a house that we are we are working on. I came here and it was true.”

He added that “The person used a pickaxe to break into the China door. It’s a very hard door but he managed to break it and the cement there was about 55 bags of cement.

"When the police arrived, he showed the place where he had kept his booty,” he said.

The arrest of Corporal Lansah Umar has left many residents of Nyinahin, including a mason who works for Umar and the assemblyman for Nyinahin Nkwanta Electoral area, Kwabena Karikari, shocked.

It comes at a time residents say the area has been recording break-ins.

“I know the officer very well but I don’t know why he did this. I didn’t expect him to do this. It is very bad and I am confused,” Evangelist Ampah said.

Police sources tell Nhyira FM that the duo would be arraigned soon.