Kumasi, Feb 1, GNA - Seven out of the 16 suspected criminals arrested by the police in Kumasi last month for various offences have been made out at an identification parade held at the headquarters of the Ashanti Regional Police Command in Kumasi on Wednesday. The suspects were made up of two females and 14 males. They were arrested by Zongo, Asawasi and Tafo police for offences including armed robbery, phone snatching, stealing of personal effects and rape.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Frank Adu-Poku, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, who briefed the press later, said the suspects have tattoo marks on their bodies while one of them has gunshot wounds.

He said their names have been withheld because of security reasons and promised to mention their names in due course as soon as police complete their investigations.

In another development, ACP Adu-Poku said the police in another operation on Saturday arrested a 40-year-old blacksmith, Owusu Ansah at Ohwim near Kumasi for possessing firearms.

Items retrieved from him after searching included pistols, short guns, valves, drilling machine, hammer and some cartridges. He said when asked whether he had a license, he replied in the negative.

ACP Adu-Poku stated that Owusu Ansah would soon be put before court for possessing illegal firearms.

He observed that, "If we are able to expose such people in society, then we can minimize crimes".

The Regional Police Commander therefore, appealed to the public to co-operate with the police and give them information about activities of criminals for their arrest and prosecution.