Suspected armed robbers killed in police chase

Kumasi, Feb 4, GNA - A young man suspected to be an armed robber was on Sunday night killed by a police patrol team in Kumasi during a hot chase. The body of the suspect, yet to be identified, has been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) mortuary. Lance Corporal Godwin Atsu Ahianyo of the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations directorate in Kumasi said the shootout occurred at New Tafo on February 1.

He said the Police on their usual patrol at 0200 hours at New Tafo, met a young man who complained to them that he had been robbed of his mobile phone by a gang of four in a taxi cab bearing registration number AW 515 Y. Lance Corporal Ahianyo said the team met other people who had also been robbed.

He said the team later spotted the taxi cab initially parked but on approaching it, the vehicle sped off. He said the patrol team chased the car for almost an hour amidst occasional warning shots but the occupants did not pay heed to its orders to stop. On reaching an area behind the Manhyia Fire station, three occupants jumped off the car and escaped through the crowd. However, the driver was hit in the chest and died instantly, Lance Corporal Ahianyo said. A search conducted in the cab revealed a locally manufactured pistol, 10 rounds of ammunition, 25 mobile phones and GH¢250 in cash. He said the taxi cab had been impounded and appealed to members of the public with information relating to the crime to lodge it with the police.