Seven-member robbery gang arrested

A seven-member robbery gang including two women, suspected to be behind a chain of robberies in Kumasi, have been arrested by Ashanti Regional Police Command in Kumasi.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Charles Domaban, Asokwa Divisional Commander, briefing the press in Kumasi on Monday, gave their names as Kate Appiah, Hannah Sasu, Kwaku Boakye, Ofori Attah Aaron, Frank Oppong Naro, Ofori Atta Boakye, and Kwabena Antwi.

These suspects, he said, used a smart modus operandi under which one of the ladies Kate, is made to forge a relationship with security men of targeted companies way ahead of the day they had planned to strike.

The lady as part of the grand scheme on the operation day, would cleverly offer to the security man, some tantalizing chocolate drink laced with diazepam – a sedating drug, supplied by Hannah, the other lady who is a chemical seller.

The robbers then strike when the said security man is fast asleep, the Divisional Commander added.

ACP Domaban said during preliminary interrogations, the suspects confessed robbing a filling station at Nkoranza, near Kumasi, a cement and iron rod depot at Suame Magazine, Esereso, Tafo, Ejisu and Sunyani as well as an MTN mobile money agent.

They also admitted robbing a Cocoa depot at Sefwi on two occasions, in addition to stealing car batteries.

Three money safes, four vehicles, steel cutters, long iron bars, safety helmets, pairs of safety boots, one safety uniform, quantities of diazepam tablet packets, a mallet – a big hammer and many other items, were also found on them.