Police warn of carjackers

The Accra Regional Police Command is warning motorists to take extra caution to prevent possible attacks and theft of their vehicles.

According to a statement signed by the Public Affairs Director of the Command, ASP Effia Tenge, “car snatching has become a lucrative business for most criminal networks in the capital”.

The statement identified East Legon, Mile 7, Pokuase, Adentan, Dansoman, Sakumono, and Spintex Road as places where the crime has heightened.

The statement released on Tuesday June 28 stressed that “though these criminals target both private and commercial vehicles, they mostly succeed in snatching vehicles with trade licence plates (DP and DV) and taxi cabs”.

The statement further said that the modus operandi of the criminals include, but not limited to, trailing and snatching of targeted vehicles at the entrances of proposed destinations, hiring and snatching of commercial vehicles (taxi cab) by two or three persons in the course of a journey, and during a test-drive of a vehicle of interest by a potential buyer.

The police said they were collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that the perpetrators were arrested and prosecuted.

Meanwhile, the law enforcement body is advising the public to observe the following:

- Using automobile tracking devices.

- Taking extra care when test-driving with unknown potential buyers, especially vehicles with trade licence plates.

- Cross-checking necessary documents from relevant authorities before purchasing a vehicle.

- Seeking police assistance when driving home late and to remote areas.

- Registering imported vehicles on time and avoiding using trade licence plates at night.

- Reporting suspicious characters to the police.

The release said the public should contact the police through their emergency numbers, 191 and MTN/Vodafone Toll Free Number 18555 in times of distress.