Police arrest 57-year-old man over viral shoplifting videos

The Eastern Regional Police Command has arrested a 57-year-old man suspected of being behind a series of shoplifting incidents captured in videos that recently went viral on TikTok and other social media platforms.

The suspect, identified as Nsiah Samuel, is a self-acclaimed chief and minister of the gospel residing at Akrade in the Eastern Region.

According to the police, he was arrested on November 5, 2026, by the Somanya District Police Command following intelligence gathered in collaboration with the Borteyman Police in Accra.

The police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect admitted to stealing consumable items, electronics, clothing and other goods from various retail outlets across the country.

The locations where the alleged thefts occurred include Kibi, Suhum, Ashaiman, Accra Central, Koforidua, Tema, Akosombo and Adenta.

The suspect has since been handed over to the Borteyman Police for further investigations.

In a statement dated November 7, 2026, the Ghana Police Service expressed appreciation to members of the public whose vigilance and sharing of information on social media contributed to the breakthrough and subsequent arrest.

The arrest follows the circulation of videos on social media purportedly showing shoplifting incidents, which generated public attention and calls for investigations.