By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, April 14, GNA-Two suspected armed robbers were shot dead following a robbery incident involving a mobile money vendor at Tema Community Five on Monday morning.
The Tema Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service said the incident occurred at about 08:30 hours when the suspects attacked the vendor at Aba Fosuah Plaza.
According to preliminary investigations, one of the suspects, who was riding as a pillion passenger on a motorbike, approached the victim under the pretext of making a cash-out transaction.
The release signed by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Dede Dzakpasu, Head of Public Affairs,
Stated that as the vendor retrieved her phone from her bag to process the transaction, the suspect pulled out a pistol and demanded the bag containing cash.
The victim reportedly resisted, prompting the rider to join in a struggle over the bag.
It added that during the struggle, the pillion rider allegedly shot the victim in the leg, after which the suspects took the bag and fled the scene on the motorbike.
The Police said a patrol team from the Tema Regional Operations Unit, which had been deployed nearby for security duties, swiftly responded to a distress call and pursued the suspects.
The statement said when the suspects reached a junction near Smart Hotel, they opened fire on the pursuing officers. Police returned fire and, during the exchange, both suspects sustained gunshot wounds and fell off the motorbike.
The suspects were subsequently transported to the Police Hospital for treatment but were pronounced dead on arrival by a medical officer.
Their bodies have since been deposited at the mortuary for preservation, identification, and autopsy.
It added that a search conducted on the suspects led to the retrieval of a black 9mm pistol loaded with ammunition, three Android mobile phones, assorted SIM cards, a talisman, a Royal motorbike key and cash amounting to GH¢11,390.00.
Police said a Ghana Card recovered from the suspects belonged to the robbery victim.
The victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, is receiving medical attention and was reported to be in stable condition.
An empty bullet shell suspected to have been fired from the weapon used was also retrieved from the scene.
The Tema Regional Police Command assured the public of its continued commitment to ensuring safety and security in the area and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba