Police detain five robbery suspects, hunt for remaining accomplices

Tarkwa, Western Region, March 16, 2026 – The Western Central Regional Police Command has taken five suspects into custody in connection with a robbery at Velotop Company Limited, a Chinese-owned firm specialising in heavy-duty machinery, while efforts continue to apprehend additional accomplices.

According to a press statement signed by Assistant Superintendent of Police Beatrice Turkson, Head of the Public Affairs Unit, the suspects—based in Obuasi—travelled to Asankrangwa to execute the robbery with the assistance of an accomplice who remains at large. Police are actively searching for the gang leader and any other individuals involved.

The arrested suspects are: Issahaku Ibrahim, 42; Fatau Ali, 25; Yahaya Mumuni, 26; Emmanuel Antwi, 22; and Rashid Abdul, 22. They are expected to be arraigned in court at the appropriate time.

Preliminary investigations revealed that on March 12, 2026, at approximately 1920 hours, armed men attacked the company premises in Malta, a suburb of Asankrangwa in Wassa Amenfi West Municipality. The suspects, armed with pump-action guns, a pistol, and machetes, held employees hostage and stole GH¢200,000.

During the incident, three Chinese nationals were handcuffed and locked in a room, while the suspects fled in a black Toyota Voxy (registration GS 576-25).

A police patrol from Asankrangwa responded promptly but the suspects had already escaped. Information about the vehicle was circulated to all checkpoints within the jurisdiction. The vehicle was later spotted on the Asankrangwa–Sefwi Bekwai road and intercepted at the Sumpre checkpoint. The suspects attempted to flee but were captured with the support of the patrol team. Four suspects—Ibrahim, Ali, Mumuni, and Antwi—were arrested on the spot, while Abdul was apprehended from his hideout the following day. Two other suspects reportedly escaped, and police continue efforts to arrest them.

A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of two pump-action guns, fourteen AA cartridges, one Bruni Mod 84 Cal 9 PAK pistol with eight rounds, a machete, three mobile phones, two CCTV decoders, three pairs of handcuffs, and GH¢198,200 cash.

GHBUSS

16 March 2026