Kumasi, Nov. 14, GNA - A police patrol team on Friday night shot and killed four armed robbers in a gun battle at Kromoase, near Atasomanso in the Kumasi Metropolis.

Three of the deceased have been identified by the police as Fiifi and Rashid, ex-convicts and Abdulai Razak Ibrahim, a suspect in a robbery case who is standing trial at a Kumasi High Court.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Patrick Timbillah, Ashanti Regional Police Commander told the media in Kumasi on Saturday that the remaining body is yet to be identified.

He said at about 18:00 hours on Friday, a group of armed robbers snatched a taxi cab from its driver at Buokrom on the Antoa road.

The gang drove to Atonsu and at about 1900 hours attacked a woman who was about to enter her house with her Toyota Pathfinder. In her attempt to raise the alarm, they shot her right shoulder and took the keys to the car and drove away.

Family members rushed the woman to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for treatment.

DCOP Timbillah said at about 2000 hours, another victim, a Project Officer of a private company who had arrived from Accra with GH¢95,000 was also robbed of his money at Asokwa by the gang.

From Asokwa, the robbers drove to Buokrom, where they abandoned the Pathfinder and snatched another taxi cab and headed towards Kromoase near=

Atasemanso on the Kumasi-Obuasi road where they entered a house to rob. A police team, who had already been informed about the robberies throu= gh telephone calls, mounted a search for them.

He said the Police had a hint that the suspects were operating at Kromoase and therefore, rushed to the area. On seeing the police, the robbers started firing and the police return= ed fire resulting in the death of the four whilst the others fled.

The Police team retrieved four pump action guns, three locally made gu= ns, 21 unused shell, eight used shells, and 21 live ammunitions at the scene. Other items found were heavy duty cutter, two mobile phones, empty bla= ck bag which contained the GH¢95,000 and a black cloth believed to be used= by the robbers to deceive their victims that they are policemen. A brother of the woman who was driving the Pathfinder later identified=

one of the deceased persons as a member of the gang.