Two suspected armed robbers described by the police as notorious, were gunned down on Friday evening, at the Airport Residential Area in Accra while on a robbery spree. They have been identified as George Klen, about 53 and Doku or Mellow, about 41. Their bodies have been deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary for autopsy. The Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Rose Bio Atinga, told the press on Saturday, that the two had been on the police wanted list for committing several robberies. They were also said to have been captured on a number of close circuit television sets at Osu, East Legon, and some filling stations committing robberies. Klen, according to the commander, had been known in police circles for well over 30 years as a hardened criminal, saying, he was sentenced on a number of occasions to various prison terms. “There is no prison that Klen had not served in, as far as I know”, she stressed. DCOP Atinga said for some time now her outfit had had reports of armed robbers breaking into people's cars and shops, particularly in the Airport residential area, Osu Oxford Street, East Legon, as well as places where social activities were being held, and restaurants. Based on the information, she said, plain clothed personnel were deployed in those areas to gather intelligence and clamp down on the criminals. While some of the personnel were on patrol duties on Friday, at about 8:30 p.m. at East Legon and the Airport residential areas, they had information that some robbers were breaking into vehicles and stealing valuables, including laptops, at some social points (drinking spots). DCOP Atinga said the police further gathered that the robbers were “having a good time” at a drinking spot near Nyaho Clinic. The police closed in on them but on seeing the police, they pulled locally manufactured pistols and started firing at them. The police returned the fire, but the robbers managed to enter their ash Nissan Maxima car, GW 4635-09 and sped off. She said the robbers were still firing while escaping and in the process, the driver of their car lost control and ran into a ditch when he was hit by a bullet. “The two suspects got injured and died while being conveyed to the hospital.” The police retrieved two locally manufactured pistols, three laptops, three car number plates, AS 6273-10, WR6543-09 and DV 3408-11 and a camera from the robbers. Other items found were, three locally made T-square iron implements, popularly known as ‘Bazooka’ used in opening cars, an ipod and a travelling bag containing some documents, and consumables. The Regional Commander appealed to private security guards manning public places to be vigilant and critically observe people who patronised such places, the cars they drive as well as the cars left in their care. The Deputy Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, told the Times later that the police had been trailing Klen for years but anytime he sensed danger, he (Klen) went into hiding. He said Klen apart from his intense robbery in Accra, travelled to Elubo with his gang to carry out robberies. ACP Yohuno noted that from the spoils of his activities, Klen had put up plush executive mansions at Gbawe, Gomoa Nyanyano near Kasoa, Ho, Aflao, with some fitted with close circuit television cameras. He also owned some filling stations. He, therefore, appealed to car owners to carry their belongings anytime they stepped-out of their cars, adding that the criminals had gadgets which could silence car alarms, before they committed the crimes. One of the victims of the robbery told journalists that he parked his car and went to eat at a restaurant at East Legon. Moments later, the owner of the restaurant came to alert him of a break into his car. He said his laptop containing useful information, GH¢40, was picked and commended the police for the swift performance which led to the gunning down of the robbers.
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