Kumasi, July 12, GNA - The Ashanti regional police has arrested six suspected armed robbers for robbing victims of cash and mobile phones.

They are Akwasi Frimpong, 19, driver's mate, Kofi Appiah, 22, ex-securityman, Kwaku Poku, 20, driver, Awudu Akwasi, 20, bicycle mechanic, Salim Osman, 19, and Salisu Issifu, 18, both shoemakers, have been placed in police custody for investigations. Two of the suspects are on the run and the police have mounted a search for their arrest.

Speaking to newsmen in Kumasi, Police Inspector Mohammed Tanko of the public relations unit of the regional police, said the first three suspects robbed a catering officer living at Patasi of her 3.8 million-cedi Motorola phone and 400,000 cedis cash at 2100 hours on June 30 when she left her residence for Adum to purchase meat for her restaurant.

He said, whilst the lady was waiting by the roadside to board a taxi, a taxicab with registration number AS 3801 U pulled up with three occupants and picked her.

On their way to Adum, the driver diverted from the normal route and droved to an obscure place where they robbed their victim. Inspector Tanko said the lady on the next day spotted the suspects in the same vehicle when her husband was driving her to the market. The husband attempted to confront them, but the suspects sped off and were given a hot chase. On reaching Adiembra, the suspects tried to make a U-turn but luck eluded them as an alarm raised by the husband and wife attracted onlookers and three of them were arrested and nearly lynched but for the timely intervention of the police; but one managed to escape.

Inspector Tanko said the other three also got hold of their victim, Zacharia Manni, a scrap dealer resident at Aboabo Number One on July 4 at 0330 hours after arriving from Tamale at Alabar and was walking home.

The suspects robbed him of his 800,000 cedis and a mobile phone. Zacharia then called for help and luckily people came to his rescue and the suspects were arrested and handed over to the Zongo police.

A pair of scissors, a locally manufactured pistol, cutlass and other deadly weapons were found on them. 12 July 06