Police in the Western Central Region have arrested five suspects in connection with a daring armed robbery attack on a Chinese heavy-duty machinery company at Asankrangwa.
The suspects are alleged to have stormed the premises of Velolop Co. Ltd, located in Malta, a suburb of Asankrangwa within the Amenfi West Municipal Assembly, and robbed the company of nearly 200,000 cedis.
Armed Attack on Workers
According to preliminary police investigations, the robbery occurred on March 12, 2026, at about 7:20 p.m., when a group of armed men invaded the company’s premises, wielding pump-action guns, a pistol, and machetes.
The suspects reportedly held workers hostage and robbed them of 200,000 cedis in cash.
During the attack, three Chinese nationals working with the company were handcuffed and locked in a room while the robbers ransacked the premises.
The gang later fled the scene in a black Toyota Voxy with registration number GS 576-25.
Dramatic Police Interception
Police patrol officers from the Ghana Police Service in Asankrangwa responded promptly upon receiving the distress report.
Although the suspects had fled before officers arrived, police immediately circulated vehicle details to security checkpoints in the area.
The vehicle was later spotted along the Asankrangwa–Sefwi Bekwai Road and intercepted by officers at the Sumpre Police Checkpoint.
Police say the suspects attempted to escape but were chased and overpowered by officers at the checkpoint with reinforcement from the Asankrangwa patrol team.
Suspects and Weapons Recovered
Four suspects were initially arrested at the scene and identified as:
- Issahaku Ibrahim, 42
- Fatou Ali, 25
- Yahaya Mumuni, 26
- Emmanuel Antwi, 22
Two other suspects managed to escape during the operation.
A search conducted in the vehicle led to the recovery of several items, including:
- Two pump-action guns
- Fourteen AA cartridges
- One Bruni Mod 84 Cal 9 PAK pistol loaded with eight rounds
- One machete
- Three mobile phones
- Two CCTV camera decoders
- Three pairs of handcuffs
- ¢198,200 in cash
Fifth Suspect Arrested
Police say a fifth suspect, Rashid Abdul, aged 22, was later arrested on March 13 from his hideout, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to five.
Robbery Gang from Obuasi
Investigators believe the suspects travelled from Obuasi to carry out the robbery in Asankrangwa.
Police say the group was allegedly led by another accomplice, believed to be a resident of Asankrangwa, who remains on the run.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to track down the suspected leader and any other accomplices linked to the crime.
The suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with investigations, and are expected to be arraigned before the court soon.
The Ghana Police Service has assured the public of its commitment to maintaining law and order and is urging residents to volunteer credible information to support ongoing crime-fighting efforts.
By paqmediagh/Peter Quao Adattor
