Caught in the act

Page 14: Daily Graphic, February 1, 2010.
Story: Albert K. Salia
A 27-YEAR-OLD man who had been on the police wanted list since August last year for a series of robberies at some boutiques in Accra, was on Wednesday arrested when he went to the Britz Boutique, adjacent the Granada Hotel, to attempt another robbery.
The suspect, Raymond Akwasi Sarfo, allegedly pulled a gun on the salesgirl at the Britz Boutique, tied her up and pulled her into the dressing room, before packing 37 shirts, 11 pairs of shoes and two suits into a “Ghana Must Go” bag.
He was, however, arrested after the salesgirl managed to free herself from the ropes and raised the alarm to draw passers-by to her aid.
When he was overpowered by the crowd, a gun, a dagger and a pair of scissors were retrieved from him.
At an identification parade in which other victims identified him, Sarfo, upon seeing the salesgirl, admitted that he was at her shop on Wednesday.
Until yesterday’s incident, Sarfo had been captured on Close Circuit Television (CCTV) at the Apparel Boutique at East Legon, where he had robbed and bolted with items worth GH¢10,000 on August 13, 2009.
The pictures of that incident were shown to journalists yesterday.
Briefing newsmen in Accra, the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Rose Bio Atinga, said at about 9:30a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, the suspect went to the Britz Boutique, where he pulled a gun at the salesgirl.
She said just as he was taking the stolen items to a waiting taxi, which he had hired, the salesgirl emerged from the boutique to raise the alarm for the suspect’s arrest.
DCOP Atinga said during interrogation, Sarfo allegedly admitted committing other robberies at the M.H. Trends Boutique near the Mensvic Hotel, where items worth GH¢7,000 were stolen, Nyemi Secret Boutique and Special Plaza boutique, all at East Legon, as well as the Landy’s Boutique at West Legon on August 10, 2009, where items worth GH¢5,000 were stolen.
According to her, Sarfo mentioned Ikechuku, a Nigerian, and Paa Kodjo as his accomplices but claimed that Ikechuku had gone back to Nigeria while Paa Kodjo was currently in Kumasi processing an application form to enrol at one of the private tertiary institutions there.