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Ashanti Police Command Arrest Syndicate Involved Targeted Vehicle Thefts
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Ashanti Police Command Arrest Syndicate Involved Targeted Vehicle Thefts in Kumasi
From Ernest Best Anane, Kumasi
The Regional Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) has made a significant move in dismantling a criminal syndicate responsible for a series of targeted vehicle thefts across the Kumasi Metropolis.
According to DCOP Mr Emmanuel Teye-Cudjoe, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, at a press briefing explained that
over the past few months, the Ashanti Regional Police Command has received numerous reports involving individuals who, after withdrawing large sums of money from financial institutions, were followed and had their vehicle broken into.
over the past few months, the Ashanti Regional Police Command has received numerous reports involving individuals who, after withdrawing large sums of money from financial institutions, were followed and had their vehicle broken into.
These thefts typically occurred when victims left their vehicles unattended. He disclosed that the perpetrators, often using Toyota Highlander vehicles, gained access to the vehicles using either master keys or forcibly breaking in.
He noted that investigations revealed that the syndicate operated in a coordinated manner. One of the suspects would loiter around banking halls and car parks to identify customers withdrawing substantial amounts of money.
He noted that investigations revealed that the syndicate operated in a coordinated manner. One of the suspects would loiter around banking halls and car parks to identify customers withdrawing substantial amounts of money.
He said the individuals would then alert their accomplices, who would trail the victim in their vehicles and strike when an opportunity presented itself.
The Regional Commander indicated that on 15th November 2024, a victim on board a Toyota Camry withdrew an amount of Ghc 107,000 at the Agricultural Development Bank at Ahodwo roundabout.
The Regional Commander indicated that on 15th November 2024, a victim on board a Toyota Camry withdrew an amount of Ghc 107,000 at the Agricultural Development Bank at Ahodwo roundabout.
The syndicate on board a Toyota Highlander broke into his vehicle and made away with money at the banks parking lot On 18th march 2025, one of their victim withdrew an amount of Ghc 88,000 from a financial institution and parked his vehicle around Obaa Yaa chop bar, broke into the vehicle and stole the cash.
He stated that on 19th march 2025, another victim after withdrawing an amount of Ghc 22,000 from the Absa bank – KNUST branch, kept the money in her Kia sportage private car and parked same at KNUST Hospital Emergency Unit.
PThe suspect on board same Toyota Highlander broke into the Kia sport age private car and stole the said amount of money.
Again on March 24, 2025 another victim withdrew an amount of Ghc 100,000 from zenith bank- KNUST branch. He drove to Ayeduase and parked at Afrifa junction stretch. These syndicate broke into the vehicle and stole the money.
On 9th April 2025, a customer of the Ghana commercial bank Suame branch, went to withdraw an amount of Ghc 95,000 and kept the money in his Rav 4 and parked at a nearby food joint at Tafo Pankrono these syndicates on same two Toyota highlanders broke into the vehicle and stole the money
On 11th day of June 2025, a victim withdrew an amount of Ghc 85,000 from the National investment Bank, Suame and headed to Asawase market near the Central mosque. Again these syndicate on Toyota Highlander trailed the victim, tampered with the victim’s vehicle and made away with the money.
Surveillance and Arrests:
Through sustained intelligence-gathering and surveillance, supported by footage from the intelligence video surveillance (IVS) system monitored at the Police Emergency Command Centre, at the Regional headquarters, two suspect vehicles were identified: A gold-coloured Toyota Highlander with registration number GT 2471-14.A black Toyota Highlander with registration number GX 7124-12It was later confirmed that both vehicles bore fake license plates.
On Thursday, 19th June 2025, at 10:00 a.m., PID operatives successfully arrested three suspects: Russell Ekenze, 29, taxi driver, Francis Friday, 49, politician and Linus Agwazie, 51, trader. A 6-inch T-shaped metal tool, believed to be used as a master key in the thefts, was recovered from one of the vehicles during the arrest.
According to him, upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a larger criminal syndicate. They admitted to carrying out similar thefts at several locations within Kumasi, including: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Mayanka, Asokwa, Kumasi Central Mosque, Shoprite, Kumasi and Georgia Hotel area. They also identified other members of the syndicate as Cosmas Maduabuchukwu, Ezuchukwu, C.J., D.D., and Le One of the key suspects, Cosmas Maduabuchukwu, sustained gunshot wounds during an attempted arrest and managed to flee. Intelligence later revealed that he sought refuge at a drinking bar in Kenyase, owned by Gifty Ozurumbam and Gladys Ibrahim. These two individuals have since been arrested for obstructing police investigations by failing to disclose Cosmas’ whereabouts.
Five suspects are currently in police custody and two the vehicles used by the syndicate have been impounded. A manhunt is underway to arrest Cosmas Maduabuchukwu and the other accomplices still at large.
He revealed that preliminary findings indicate that all members of the syndicate are Nigerian nationals, with the exception of one suspect, D.D., who is believed to be Ghanaian. Suspects Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, Russell Ekenze, Gifty Ozurumbam and Gladys Ibrahimare being arraigned before court today to secure lawful remand.
Investigations are ongoing to dismantle the entire network and bring all perpetrators to justice. During questioning, the suspects also confessed to committing similar crimes in parts of Accra. Accordingly, the Command will liaise with the Greater Accra Regional Police to assist in extending the investigation.
In another development, the Nkawie Divisional Police Command has arrested a suspect in connection with a recent case of robbery and murder.
Suspect William Ofori Atta, aged 29, was apprehended at Kukuom in the Ahafo Region for his involvement in the robbery and killing of one Emmanuel Kwabena Boakye, aged 28. The incident occurred on May 26, 2025, at approximately 12:45 p.m., at the Radiance Filling Station in Mpasatia, Ashanti Region, where the victim was employed.
Following a coordinated investigation led by the Ashanti Regional Cyber Crime Unit, the Kukuom Police, and the Nkawie Divisional Command, the suspect was arrested from his hideout in Kukuom on June 21, 2025, at about 5:30 a.m.
During police interrogation, the suspect admitted to shooting and killing the victim. He is currently in custody and will be arraigned before court in due course to face justice.
