The Ashanti South Regional Police Command have arrested a suspect believed to be part of a car-snatching syndicate operating in the Ashanti Region, while two other alleged gang members were killed in a shootout with police during a follow-up operation.
According to a social media post by the Ghana Police Service, the suspect, William Opoku, was arrested on Thursday, June 18, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation at Ahwiaa near Kumasi. Police said investigations led them to hideouts allegedly used by Opoku and other members of the gang at Ahwiaa and Pankrono.
Opoku, also known as Father Blessing, reportedly admitted to participating in several vehicle thefts in Kumasi during interrogation.
Police said the gang is linked to the theft of a Toyota Corolla on the Anwiankwanta-Asanso road, a Toyota Corolla belonging to a police officer at Pankrono, another Toyota Corolla at Moro Market, and a white Toyota Corolla at Anloga Junction.
The white Toyota Corolla was later recovered after Opoku led investigators to a workshop where it was being repaired.
Police further disclosed that Opoku confessed to involvement in an attack on a police officer at Kronum Brokutu on July 5, 2025, during which an AK-47 rifle and ammunition were stolen. According to the police, the stolen weapon is believed to have been in Opoku’s possession.
During interrogation, Opoku allegedly identified his accomplices as Prince, also known as Killer Wooah; Suley, also known as Shangu Spirit; Bonkro, also known as Okoronko; Aki; and Yaw Antwi.
In a subsequent operation conducted on June 17, 2026, police tracked Suley, Bonkro and another suspect riding an unregistered Honda PCX motorbike.
Police alleged the rider knocked down an officer before opening fire while attempting to evade arrest. Officers returned fire, leaving Suley and another suspect identified as Long Story with gunshot wounds, while Bonkro managed to escape.
According to the police, Suley had been linked to several car-snatching and vehicle theft incidents, including those on the Anwiankwanta-Asanso road, at Anloga Junction and Moro Market, as well as the attack on the police officer.
The injured suspects were rushed to the Bekwai Municipal Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival. Their bodies have since been deposited at the hospital mortuary pending preservation and autopsy.
Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects, including Bonkro, alias Okoronko, and to recover the stolen vehicles, the AK-47 rifle and the ammunition.
