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 Malta, a suburb of Asankrangwa.
The suspects were apprehended following a swift police response and a dramatic chase that led to the recovery of the stolen cash, firearms, and other exhibits.
According to a press release issued by the Regional Police Command on Friday, March 13, 2026, the incident occurred on the night of March 12, 2026, at approximately 7:20opm. A group of armed men stormed Velotop Co. Ltd, a Chinese-owned company located in the area.
The assailants, armed with pump-action guns, a pistol, and machetes, held the company’s workers hostage. During the ordeal, they handcuffed three Chinese and locked them in a room before making off with a substantial amount of cash (GHS 200,000.00). The robbers fled the scene in a black Toyota Voxy vehicle with registration number GS 576-25.
Upon receiving the distress call, a patrol team from the Asankrangwa Police immediately rushed to the scene, but the suspects had already escaped. The police quickly circulated the details of the incident and the suspect vehicle to all snap checkpoints in the jurisdiction.
The alert proved effective when the suspected Toyota Voxy was spotted on the Asankrangwa-Sefwi Bekwai road. Officers manning the Sumpre checkpoint moved to intercept the vehicle. When the occupants realized they were cornered, they attempted to flee on foot.
“A pursuit was launched by the police personnel at the barrier, with support from the Asankrangwa patrol team,” stated Beatrice Turkson, Assistant Superintendent of Police and Head of the Public Affairs Unit for the Western Central Region.
The chase led to the immediate arrest of four suspects. They were identified as Issahaku Ibrahim (42), Fatau Ali (25), Yahaya Mumuni (26), and Emmanuel Anlwi (22). A fifth suspect, Rashid Abdul (22), was later arrested from his hideout on Friday, March 13, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to five. Police have confirmed that two other suspects managed to escape and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a significant haul of exhibits, including:
· Two (2) pump-action guns
· Fourteen (14) AA cartridges
· One (1) Bruni Mod 84 Cal 9 PAK pistol with a magazine loaded with eight (8) rounds of ammunition
· One (1) machete
· Three (3) pairs of handcuffs
· Two (2) CCTV camera decoders
· Three mobile phones (iPhone 13, Nokia C300, and a Villoan)
· Cash amounting to GHS 198,200.00
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspects are residents of Obuasi and had specifically travelled to Asankrangwa to execute the robbery. Police believe they were led by an accomplice who is a resident of Asankrangwa and is currently at large.
The five suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations and are expected to be arraigned soon.
The Regional Police Command has reassured the public of its unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order and has encouraged citizens to continue supporting the police with credible information to help combat crime in their communities.
