Robbers employ kids

Members of a syndicate that hire juveniles to break into various boutiques in Akatsi to steal goods worth thousands of Ghana Cedis, have been arrested.

The arrests were made possible when two juveniles (name withheld), both 13 years, attempted to enter the shop through a hole they allegedly created.

Preliminary investigations led to the arrest of three suspects - Ali Samoo, Kafui Alaonkudi and Dodzi Afagbedzi. Two others, Risky and Anthony Bomba, are on the run.

The three suspects have been arraigned before an Akatsi District Magistrate Court, presided over by Mr Daniel Dorkpoh on charges of conspiracy and stealing.

They pleaded not guilty and were granted GH¢2,000 each with two sureties to re-appear on February 27.

Briefing The Spectator at Akatsi, police sources said following rampant raids of boutiques in the Akatsi township, they had to intensify vigilance which had proved successful.

The sources said on August 22 last year, the boutique of a complainant, Ms Juliana Awanya Amekor, was raided after an opening was made in the wall of the structure and clothes worth GH¢6,012.40 and cash of GH¢100.00 were stolen.

Not quite long after that incident, a juvenile assisted by an accomplice attempted to break into the same shop through an opening made in the wall but they were arrested.

During interrogation, they gave the names of the suspects as their mentors.

Police intensified their search for the culprits until December 26, last year, when they had a tip-off that some stolen items had been discovered in an uncompleted house. Ms Amekor identified the goods as having been stolen from her shop and they were retrieved.

A search is still underway to arrest the other two suspects.