Correspondence from the Western Region


The Western Central Police Command have arrested five suspects in connection with a robbery attack on a Chinese heavy-duty machinery company at Asankrangwa in the Amenfi West Municipality.


According to a police press release issued on March 13, 2026, the robbery occurred on the evening of March 12, when a group of armed men attacked Velotop Co. Ltd., located at Malta, a suburb of Asankrangwa.


Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects, armed with pump-action guns, a pistol and machetes, stormed the premises of the company at about 7:20 p.m.


The attackers reportedly held workers hostage and made away with cash amounting to GH¢200,000.


During the incident, three Chinese nationals were handcuffed and locked in a room while the suspects fled the scene in a black Toyota Voxy with registration number GS 576-25.


Police patrol teams from Asankrangwa responded swiftly after receiving information about the attack, but the suspects had already escaped.


The vehicle used in the robbery was later spotted on the Asankrangwa–Sefwi Bekwai road and intercepted at the Sumpre checkpoint.


The occupants reportedly attempted to flee but were pursued by police officers, leading to the arrest of four suspects.


They were identified as Issahaku Ibrahim, 42; Fatau Ali, 25; Yahaya Mumuni, 26; Emmanuel Antwi, 22; and Rashid Abdul, 22.


A fifth suspect, Rashid Abdul, aged 22, was later arrested from his hideout on March 13, bringing the total number of arrests to five.


Two other suspects are believed to have escaped and are currently being pursued by police.


A search conducted in the vehicle led to the retrieval of several items, including two pump-action guns, fourteen AA cartridges, a Bruni Mod 84 pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition, a machete, three pairs of handcuffs, mobile phones, CCTV camera decoders and GH¢198,200 in cash.


Police investigations suggest the suspects are residents of Obuasi who allegedly travelled to Asankrangwa to carry out the robbery.


Authorities believe they were led by an accomplice believed to be a resident of Asankrangwa, who is currently on the run.


The suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations and will be arraigned before court soon.


The Western Central Regional Police Command has assured the public of its commitment to maintaining law and order and has urged residents to support the police with credible information to help fight crime.