By Emelia B. Addae
Koforidua, Jan 2, GNA-The New Juaben South Municipal Police Command has cautioned the public to monitor and report strange individuals indulging in unusual activities in the municipality.
It said the public could call the Police at 0299202944 / 0299206464 and provide locations and description of such individuals
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Augustine Asante Kusi, Crime Officer of the Municipal Police Command, cautioned the public at a news briefing on enhanced security operations and the arrest of a break-in suspect in Koforidua.
It emphasised the need for individuals and shop owners to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) at the main entrances, side, and back entrances, and high risk areas where burglars could gain access to the shops and houses.
The presence of CCTV systems could prevent offenders from committing serious acts of crime such as vandalism, break-ins, and theft. It also provides the necessary footage to secure a conviction, he indicated.
During the briefing, Superintendent (Supt.) Ransford Nsiah, the New Juaben South Municipal Commander said the Police Command had in the festive season strengthened its security measures and intensified patrol operations using varied operational strategies.
As part of the strategies, plain-clothes personnel were integrated into routine patrol duties to enhance surveillance and detection.
He said the intensified operations led to the arrest of 28 youths at identified ghettos within the Municipality for their involvement in criminal activities, including gambling, use of narcotic drugs, trafficking in narcotic substances, and the sale of unauthorized pharmaceutical products.
Supt. Nsiah said all suspects had been screened and profiled, and those found culpable have been arraigned before court while further investigations are ongoing in respect of other suspects.
The Police arrested Ibrahim Mutawakiru, 33, believed to be behind a series of shop break-ins within the municipality.
He hails from Hohoe, and his modus operandi involved traveling to towns like Nkawkaw, Koforidua, and Accra, to study the environment and identify shops vulnerable to robbery.
He targets specific portions of roofing sheets, breaks through them, and gains access to the rooms through the ceilings.
The Police Commander said investigations revealed that the suspect arrived in Koforidua on December 17, 2025, where he spied the Legend street at the Adwenpa Curtain area for 11 days, located a rural bank, forex bureau, and 10 shops vulnerable to robbery.
The suspect executed his operations over three days, beginning on Saturday, December 27, 2025.
On that Saturday night, he accessed ceilings of the targeted shops, broke into them, and stayed there till the early hours of Monday, December 29, where he was arrested.
During the arrest, Police retrieved a sack containing tools believed to have been used by the suspect in carrying out his criminal activities.
The items were two hacksaw blades, a hammer, metal punch, two screwdrivers, a crowbar, assorted keys of different types, and a pair of pliers.
The rest were a keypad mobile phone, a pair of scissors, grinding machine, two grinding wheels, three wooden hammer handles, and cash in the sum of 9,133.00 Ghana cedis.
The suspect is currently in Police custody, assisting with investigations and will be put before court.
Supt. Nsiah said the Municipal Police Command remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property, especially during this festive season.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei/George-Ramsey Benamba