Ashanti Regional Police swoop on criminals

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 209 suspected criminals in a special swoop as part of measures to reduce robberies and other violent crimes within the Kumasi metropolis.

The suspects are believed to be the people terrorising Kumasi residents at different locations in the metropolis, especially between Asafo and the Abinkyi Market area.

Out of the number, 191 are males, while 18 are females.

They are currently in police custody awaiting screening after which those who would be found culpable will be prosecuted.

At a press conference in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Mr Augustine Gyening, said the suspects were arrested at their hideouts at Asafo, Abinkyi and other areas in Kumasi on Monday, July 1, 2013.

He said the police retrieved drugs, machetes, and other offensive weapons in their possession.

They also found a KIA taxi-cab with registration number GR 3459-11 believed to have been used by some of the suspects in their robbery expedition.

Mr Gyening, however, called on the general public to help identify any of the arrested suspects at an identification parade to facilitate investigation and prosecution of the suspects.

He also announced the arrest of a prime suspect, one Prince Adu Gyamfi, 21, aka Owuraku, and his accomplice, Bob Seidu, in connection with the killing of a security man at the Ashfood Court Hotel at Bantama in Kumasi on Sunday, May 19, 2013.

Gyamfi, he said, was alleged to have shot a woman and her child at Bantama, robbed a passer-by of his GH¢420.00 and mobile phone as well as killed another person at Asuofua.

DCOP Gyening said Gyamfi was arrested at the Spirit of Fire Ministry Church at Abuakwa, Manhyia, last Sunday between the hours of 12.00 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. after several days of surveillance on him.

He said Gyamfi was assisting the police in investigations.

By Joseph Kyei-Boateng