Police Gun Down 2 Robbers At Airport Residential Area

Two suspected armed robbers described by the police as notorious, were gunned down on Friday evening, at the Airport Residential Area in Accra while on a robbery spree.

They have been identified as George Klen, about 53 and Doku or Mellow, about 41. Their bodies have been deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary for autopsy.

The Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Rose Bio Atinga, told the press on Saturday, that the two had been on the police wanted list for committing several robberies. They were also said to have been captured on a number of close circuit television sets at Osu, East Legon, and some filling stations committing robberies.

Klen, according to the Commander, had been known in police circles for well over 30 years as a hardened criminal, saying, he was sentenced on a number of occasions to various prison terms. “There is no prison that Klen had not served in, as far as I know”, she stressed.

DCOP Atinga said for sometime now her outfit had had reports of armed robbers breaking into people’s cars and shops, particularly in the Airport residential area, Osu oxford Street, East Legon, as well as places where social activities were being held, and restaurants. Based on the information, she said, plain clothed personnel were deployed in those areas to gather intelligence and clamp down on the criminals.

While some of the personnel were on patrol duties on Friday, at about 8:30p.m. at East Legon and the Airport residential areas, they had information that some robbers were breaking into vehicles and stealing valuables, including laptops, at some social points (drinking spots).

DCOP Atinga said the police further gathered that the robbers were “having a good time at a drinking spot near Nyaho Clinic. “The police closed in on them but on seeing the police, they pulled locally manufactured pistols and started firing at them. The police returned the fire, but the robbers managed to enter their ash Nissan Maxima car, GW 4635-09 and sped off.

She said the robbers were still firing while escaping and in the process, the driver of their car lost control and ran into a ditch when he was hit by a bullet. “The two suspects got injured and died while being conveyed to the hospital.”

The police retrieved two locally manufactured pistols, three laptops, three car number plates, As 6273-10, WR 6543-09 and DV 3408-11 and a camera from the robbers.

Other items found were, three locally made T-square iron implements, popularly known as ‘Bazooka’ used in opening cars, an iPod and a travelling bag containing some documents, and consumables.

The Regional Commander appealed to private security guards manning public places to be vigilant and critically observe people who patronized such places, the cars they drive as well as the cars left in their care.