The Police in Koforidua have taken Abubakar Abdul Latif, 32, into custody for allegedly stealing female jewellery from a stand near the scene of a fire outbreak at Starlet 21 Street on Oct. 4, 2026.
Latif is said to have taken advantage of the confusion caused by the blaze, which erupted at about 01:20 hours the night before, to pilfer the items before firefighters and police rushed to the scene.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Augustine Asante Kusi, the New Juaben South Municipal Crime Officer, told the Ghana News Agency that Latif was arrested and is currently in Police custody while investigations continue.
The fire began in a room of a storey building at Starlet 21 Street on Oct. 3 at about 22:30 hours and spread to other parts of the premises, prompting the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and Police to respond immediately.
Firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control, secured the area and managed the crowd that had gathered at the scene.
ASP Kusi said that Mrs Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, the Eastern Regional Minister, along with Mr Ransford Owusu Boakye, the Municipal Chief Executive for New Juaben South, DCOP Joseph Owusu‑Bempah, the Eastern Regional Police Commander, and others visited the scene at about 23:10 hours that night.
The team assessed the damage, praised the GNFS and Police for their swift response and assured affected persons of government support.
ASP Kusi also reported that a fire officer, identified as STO Atuahene James of Metro‑Koforidua, sustained injuries while fighting the fire and was rushed to the Eastern Regional Hospital for treatment.
When Police visited the officer at the hospital on Oct. 4 at about 14:30 hours, he was stable and responding to treatment.
Calm has since been restored at the site, while investigations continue to determine the cause of the fire.
Police are urging anyone with information on the theft or the fire to come forward as the investigation proceeds.
