2 Arrested for snatching policeman’s money
Two persons who allegedly snatched GH¢7,700 from a policeman and sped away on a motorbike were arrested after a private vehicle driver chased and knocked them down from the motorbike.
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Michael Diala, 43, and Godfred Nwaiwu, 22, the two Nigerian suspects, targeted the policeman who had gone to withdraw the money from a financial institution at Community One, near the Main Harbour Roundabout in Tema.
After snatching the money concealed in an envelope, the suspects, who reside at Chisco Station at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, sped off on the motorbike, meandering their way through the heavy vehicular traffic.
Chase
However, luck eluded them when the driver, in response to a distress call, pursued and knocked them off the motorbike with his car.
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Sensing danger, Nwaiwu scattered the money on the ground and took to his heels, but he was apprehended by an angry mob, who later set the motorbike on fire.
A total of GH¢6,340 was recovered from the suspects after the incident, while a spot search conducted on them revealed a knife on Nwaiwu.
Daring adventure
The incident is the second daring adventure in as many months, after a similar one on January 9, this year when a taxi driver exhibited bravery by knocking down two armed robbers who were escaping on a motorbike after attacking a lady, leading to their arrest.
That taxi driver was rewarded with a house by the President, while the Koala Supermarket, where the lady works, and the Ghana Police rewarded him with a car each.
Background
Briefing journalists in Tema, the Public Relations Officer of the Tema Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ms Juliana Obeng said about 1.30 p.m. on February 25, 2016, the policeman, who is attached to the Marine, Railways and Ports Department of the Tema Regional Police Command, went to the bank to withdraw money.
She said after the transaction, the policeman came out of the banking hall with the money concealed in an envelope and walked to the roadside to pick a taxi.
Trailing
ASP Obeng said while the policeman was on his way from the bank, he saw a friend of his and stopped to have a chat with him. It was in the course of the conversation that the suspects popped up on the motorbike on the blind side of the victim.
She said Nwaiwu, who was the pillion rider, quickly snatched the envelope containing the money from the complainant, after which they sped off.
Out of desperation, the policeman quickly raised an alarm and the driver, on hearing the victim’s shouts, chased the robbers and knocked them down with his car.
According to her, but for the timely intervention of the policeman and the driver who knocked down the suspects, the robbers would have been lynched by a mob.
However, the mob set the motorbike used for the operation ablaze.
ASP Obeng said the case was being investigated, after which the culprits would be arraigned.
Remand
The two suspects have been remanded to appear before the Tema Circuit Court on March 17, 2016.