Four robbers nabbed

Page 47: Daily Graphic, August 3, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia
FOUR suspected armed robbers were arrested last Saturday night after their abortive armed robbery operation at Tantra Hill in Accra.
The four, Kingsley Asante, 19, Kojo Panyin Poku, 20, Kojo Kakra Poku, 20, and Emmanuel Chaka, are currently at the Accra Regional Police Headquarters.
A fifth suspect, identified only as Tinko, died from gunshot wounds after he had jumped from the vehicle in which they were being taken to the Kwabenya Police Station and shot at the police to escape arrest.
The abortive robbery, which was an initiative of Asante, was to have been executed on his father, identified as Mr Ennin Sefa, a pharmacist.
Asante was alleged to have asked Tinko to mobilise some persons to attack his (Asante’s) father for allegedly neglecting his responsibilities to good care for him (Asante) after Mr Sefa divorced Asante’s mother five years ago.
Briefing the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Bio Atinga, said about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2009, the police/military patrol team stopped a taxi which was being used by the five suspected robbers around Dome in Accra for interrogation.
She said a search on the vehicle showed that the occupants had hidden machetes, a knife and a club in the boot of the taxi.
She said Asante allegedly confessed to asking Tinko to mobilise people to rob Mr Sefa at Tantra Hill.
DCOP Atinga said the police then decided to take the suspects to the Kwabenya Police Station to be detained for further questioning.
Unknown to the police, Tinko, who had hidden a pistol in his pants, pulled out the gun and started shooting at the police in a bid to escape arrest.
The regional commander said Tinko died from bullet wounds he sustained from the police as he tried to escape.
She said Asante and his other accomplices confirmed that it was his idea that they should rob Mr Sefa.
She said upon reaching Mr Sefa’s house at Tantra Hill, the robbers decided that they should beat a retreat.
DCOP Atinga said it was on their way back that the police/military team intercepted them at Dome.