Suspected armed robber killed in a shoot-out

By Benjamin Xornam Glover, TEMA

The Tema Police shot and killed one suspected armed robber in a shootout at “New York” a suburb of Ashiaman in the early hours of today April 24th 2014 The body of the deceased, only identified as Asorko aged 21 has been deposited at the police Hospital morgue for autopsy. Items retrieved at the scene included 28 AA live cartridges, two wedding rings, two laptop computers, eight pen drives, one Tigo mobile phone SIM card and one AK47 bayonet .

Briefing Briefing newsmen about the incident, the Tema Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police,(DCOP) Mrs. Beatrice Zakpaa Vib-Sanziri said at about 1:30 am on Thursday, April 24, 2014, police picked up information that a gang of robbers led by one Augustine Lubayele, 25 and three others including the deceased had assembled and were planning their schedule for the night. She said just as the robbers were about to embark on their robbery expedition, the police patrol team advanced on them but one of the robbers armed with a locally manufactured pistol opened fire at the police and the police also returned the fire, resulting in the death of one of them. DCOP Mrs Vib-Sanziri said three other suspects, including the gang leader identified as Augustine Lubayele, however managed to escape. Police –Public collaboration She attributed the success of the operation to what she termed as collaborative effort between the public and the police adding that the police acted on information it received from a member of the public to which the police responded swiftly to. The Tema Regional Police Commander appealed to members of the public to report criminals among them in the communities to help sanitise the system . She said the criminals lived with the people hence the need to hand them over to the security agencies . DCOP Mrs Vib – Sanziri . gave the assurance that the police will always protect the identity of such informants. “We do not want the situation where our patrol teams only react to these robberies when they occur but we should take action to prevent them as well,” she said. DCOP Mrs. Vib-Sanziri appealed to the public to help them locate the gang leader and his two accomplices. She also called on the public to come to the Regional Police Headquarters to identify the deceased to help in their investigation. She assured residents of Tema and its environs that the Police Service is ready and committed to help weed out the criminals in the system to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for all. Upsurge in crime She said following recent reports by some residents within Ashaiman about the persistent attacks by a group of gangsters who operate in suburbs such as Gbestile, Washington, Atadeka, Zenu, Bumper-to-Bumper and New York, the Tema Regional Police Command has instituted a number of measures including intelligence gathering in order to arrest the perpetrators and bringing security to the people. -End- Pix: 1. Items found the deceased armed robber. 2. Body of Asorko, 21, the deceased alleged robber Quick Read Suspected armed robber killed in a shoot-out The deceased was alleged to be part of a gang who were about to strike when they were pounced on by the police. The gang leader and two other accomplices are on the run.