Armed Robber Gunned Down

The deceased who was later identified as Asorko, a 21-year-old resident of Ashaiman, was said to be a member of a robbery syndicate which operates at Gbetsile, New York, Bumper-to-Bumper, all suburbs of Ashaiman.

Police retrieved items such as a locally manufactured pistol, 28 BB live cartridges, two laptop computers, knife, pen drives, memory cards, an AK 47 bayonet and wedding rings, among others, on the deceased and from the scene.

The lifeless body of Asorko has been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue in Accra for autopsy and further investigations.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Beatrice Zakpaa Vib-Sanziri, Tema Regional Police Commander, briefed a section of the media that following recent reports by some residents in some communities within Ashaiman about persistent attacks by a group of gangsters, her outfit mounted intelligence in order to bring the criminals to book.

According to her, at about 1:30 am on April 24, 2014, the syndicate met as usual at their meeting place, which was headed by one Augustine Lubayele who was said to be about 25 years old, together with two others including the deceased, planning to embark on their criminal operation.

DCOP Vib-Sanziri said police mounted surveillance and decided to round them up; and as they were about to embark on their robbery expedition, the Tema Regional Patrol Team advanced on the suspected robbers.

The Regional Police Commander intimated that one of the suspected robbers who was armed with a locally manufactured pistol upon seeing the police, opened fire on them and they (police) also countered, killing one of them in the process.

She commended the collaborative efforts of the public for furnishing the police with information and appealed to all not to hesitate in giving information to the police about criminal activities.

DCOP Vib-Sanziri believed the items retrieved were stolen goods from people, and called on the public to come to the Tema Regional Police Command to identify them and help in investigations saying, 'We assure them that we will protect them by not giving out their identity since we do not want our patrols to react to these robberies when they occur but should take action to prevent them as well.'

The command has appealed to the public to help with information that could lead to the arrest of Augustine Lubayale and his accomplice.

Police further warned any person or group of persons who might be harbouring the above criminals to give them up.

From Vincent Kubi, Tema