Crime & Punishment of Sunday, 10 December 2006

Source: GNA

Police nab five alleged armed robbers

Sogakope, Dec. 10, GNA-Five armed robbers believed to be operating in and around Sogakope in the South Tongu District were arrested last Friday night by the Police when the driver of the taxi cab they chartered for their operation gave them up.

The five suspects allegedly connived and attempted to rob a businessman at Tefle and two households at Alesikpe, near Dabala. The Police have seized a locally made pistol, knife, three cutlasses, clubs and masks found on them.

The suspects, all wearing multiple talismans were named as Godwin Samamu, 26, Justice Vinyo Atsu, 32, Fiagba Adolo, 20, Kwabla Mensah Kwadwo, 23, and Geli Kofi, 22.

The Police said they were questioning the five in relation to the recent robbery incident at a Mobil filling station involving four armed men who made away with a huge undisclosed amount of money on November 26 this year at Sogakope.

Mr. Godat Hlordzi, Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of Sogakope told the Ghana News Agency that the five alleged robbers engaged the services of the taxi driver at Sogakope at about 2230 hours on Friday who took them to a spot near Tefle where they attempted to rob the businessman.

He said the driver, who was allegedly asked by the suspects to remain awake for their call on a cell phone alerted some opinion leaders and the Police at Sogakope based on suspicion.

Mr. Hlordzi said the group who allegedly found their time of arrival at Tefle inappropriate, decided to hit Alesikpe village first and therefore telephoned the driver to come for them. He said on their arrival at a Police checkpoint at Sogakope on their way to Alesikpe, the driver signalled the Police and the five were arrested.

Mr. Hlordzi said the suspects would be put before court after further investigations and called on the public to emulate the attitude of the taxi driver.