Police in Ghana’s Western Central Region have arrested five suspects in connection with a daring armed robbery attack on a Chinese heavy-duty machinery company at Malta, a suburb of Asankrangwa.
The suspects were apprehended following a swift response by the Ghana Police Service that led to a dramatic chase and the recovery of stolen cash, firearms, and several other items believed to have been used in the robbery.
According to a press release issued on Friday, March 13, 2026, by the Western Central Regional Police Command, the robbery occurred on the night of March 12 at about 7:20 p.m.
The attackers reportedly stormed the premises of Velotop Co. Ltd, a Chinese-owned heavy-duty machinery company located at Malta, a suburb of Asankrangwa.
Armed with pump-action guns, a pistol, and machetes, the robbers held workers of the company hostage. During the incident, three Chinese nationals were handcuffed and locked inside a room while the suspects made away with a substantial amount of cash totaling GHS 200,000.
The suspects fled the scene in a black Toyota Voxy vehicle with registration number GS 576-25.
However, a distress call quickly reached the Ghana Police Service, prompting an immediate response from a patrol team stationed at Asankrangwa. Although the robbers had already escaped by the time officers arrived, police swiftly circulated details of the vehicle and the suspects to all checkpoints within the jurisdiction.
The breakthrough came when officers at the Sumpre checkpoint along the Asankrangwa–Sefwi Bekwai road spotted the suspected vehicle.
Upon realizing they had been intercepted, the suspects abandoned the car and attempted to escape on foot.
Police personnel at the checkpoint, with support from the Asankrangwa patrol team, launched a pursuit which led to the arrest of four suspects at the scene. They were identified as Issahaku Ibrahim (42), Fatau Ali (25), Yahaya Mumuni (26), and Emmanuel Anlwi (22).
A fifth suspect, Rashid Abdul (22), was later arrested from his hideout on Friday, March 13, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to five.
Police have confirmed that two additional suspects remain at large, and efforts are ongoing to track them down.
A search conducted on the suspects’ vehicle uncovered several items believed to have been used in the robbery, including:
- Two pump-action guns
- Fourteen AA cartridges
- One Bruni Mod 84 Cal 9 PAK pistol with a loaded magazine
- One machete
- Three pairs of handcuffs
- Two CCTV camera decoders
- Three mobile phones (iPhone 13, Nokia C300, and Villoan)
- Cash amounting to GHS 198,200
Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects are residents of Obuasi and had travelled to Asankrangwa specifically to carry out the robbery.
Police believe the group may have been assisted by an accomplice based in Asankrangwa, who is currently on the run.
The five suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations and are expected to be arraigned before court in the coming days.
The Western Central Regional Police Command has reassured the public of its commitment to maintaining law and order and has urged citizens to continue supporting the police with credible information to help fight crime.
