Tema Regional Police command bust gang involve in car-snatching

By: Benjamin Xornam Glover / Daily Graphic / Ghana | Not Published The Tema Regional Police is investigating three suspected persons believed to members of a car snatching syndicate and have been arrested for snatching cars from their victims within Prampram and its surroundings. The suspects , Emmanuel Maxwell Nartey, 24 and Felix Adjei, also 24, both mobile phone repairers and Mohammed Issifu, alias Akokora, 40, an accomplice who is alleged to have been buying stolen cars from the two suspects are currently in police custody assisting in investigation. The police was able to retrieved four cars from the suspects. Two of the suspects Emmanuel Maxwell Nartey and Felix Adjei have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime, causing harm and robbery. Mohammed Issifu who bought the cars is also in the grips of the police and has been charged with dishonestly receiving. Facts of the case Briefing the press in Tema on Wednesday, the Tema Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent, (ASP) Olivia Turkson said on February 8, 2014 at about 12:30 am, a Nissan Almera taxi driven by one Adamu Kpanti was hired by Emmanuel Maxwell Nartey and Felix Adjei from Medina in Accra to the Central University campus at Miotso She said on arrival at Miotso, on the Dawenya-Ada highway the suspects allegedly pulled a knife on the driver, took the vehicle and sped off towards the Ada direction. ASP Turkson said the victim was able to rush to the Police Barrier at Tsokpoli where he lodged a complaint. According to ASP Turkson police personnel after listening to the complaints sent out radio messages to all police barriers including the Sogakope post where the vehicle was intercepted and the occupants arrested and handed over to the police at Prampram. ASP Turkson said upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to having snatched the car and also admitted to having committed other robberies which are under investigation. According to ASP Turkson, the suspects also confirmed snatching another vehicle, a Nissan Almera with registration number, GX 5124-13 from one Prince Owusu of Gbawe in Accra and sold it to suspect Mohammed Issifu at Abotoase in the Volta Region. Modus operandi The Tema Police PRO pointed out that initial investigation indicated that the suspects have focused their expedition on any Nissan Almera car they see because all four car robbery incidence they are alleged to have been engaged in involved Nissan Almera brand of vehicles. She said the main architect to the crime, Emmanuel Maxwell Nartey claimed that he together with his accomplices had to carry out these crimes to enable him mobilize some money to help him travel to Spain since he has already secured a visa and needed money to aid his travel. ASP Turkson said the suspects also confirmed snatching another taxi cab with registration number GN 5164-13 from one Solomon Obo Adjei on February 5, 2014 after their had hired the car in Ningo. According to the police, in that incident, on arrival at a village called Kabukope, the suspects pulled a knife, attacked and inflicted severe wounds on the driver and ordered him to surrender the keys to the car but the driver refused and fled amidst shouts for help. The police said the suspects sensing danger fled from the scene while the driver, who is currently in coma and on admission at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital was initially admitted at the Prampram Health Centre but later referred to the Tema General. ASP Turkson said suspect Emmanuel Maxwell Nartey who use to stay with his uncle at Prampram on January 12, 2014 stole his uncle’s Nissan Sentra car with Registration Number GC 8292-12 which was later spotted in Worawora. She said suspect Emmanuel Maxwell Nartey told the police he heard suspect Mohammed Issifu deals in cars and that he was aware he buys stolen cars from people and also buys cars from Togo to resell them in Ghana. Alleged robber on the Motorway

In a related development, the Police in Tema have arrested a 24 year old Nigerien, Ibrahim Issah who was arrested on the Tema Motorway at 3 am on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 Members of the Tema Police Patrol team recovered an unlicensed locally manufactured pistol, one live cartridge, a kitchen knife, a number of match sticks and an empty cigarette box from the suspect. The Tema Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olivia Turkson told the media in Tema that members of the patrol team while on duty at the Adjei Kojo section of the motorway spotted the suspect emerging from the bush at about 3 am. She said since that particular section noted by the police for attacks on innocent people and looking at the time and demeanor of the suspect, the police suspected him to be a criminal and ordered him to stop. She said instead of obeying the order, the suspect fled but was given a hot chase by some of the police personnel who apprehended him. He said a search conducted on him revealed the said items and when interrogated failed to explained why he was in procession of those items. She said the suspects could not also offer any explanation as to where he was coming from. ASP said police believe that the suspect is part of the criminals who attack travelers and passengers on that stretch of the motorway and based on this the arrested him and after investigation, charged him from processing fireman without lawful authority and preparation to crime. She explained that the suspect will soon be processed for court. -End- Pix: 1. Members of the alleged car snatching syndicate. From left to Right, Mohammed Issifu, aka, 'Akokora', Felix Adjei, and Emmanuel Maxwell Nartey. 2. Suspect Ibrahim Issah, 24, was arrested on the Tema Motorway in procession of unlicensed pistol and other gadgets 3. The gadgets including a locally manufactured gun and knife retrieved from Suspect Ibrahim Issah Quick Read:  The Tema Regional Police Command has arrested three persons suspected to be members of a car snatching syndicate.  The suspects are in custody and assisting the police in their investigation  Meanwhile, a alleged highway robber is also in the grips of the police in Tema for processing unlicensed locally manufactured pistol.