The New Juaben South Municipal Police Command in Eastern region has arrested a notorious burglar, Ibrahim Mutawakilu, aged 33, believed to be behind a series of shop break-ins within the municipality after he became stranded in the reinforced concrete ceiling of a bank in Koforidua.
The suspects lives in Hohoe, but according to police carries out his buglarly operations in Nkawkaw, Koforidua, and Accra.
Police investigations revealed that the suspect’s modus operandi involved travelling to the targeted towns, conducting surveillance, and identifying shops or stores vulnerable to attack.
He would then remove portions of roofing sheets and gain access to the premises through the ceiling.
According to police, Ibrahim Mutawakiru arrived in Koforidua on December 17, 2025, where he conducted surveillance for eleven days.
During this period, he identified ten shops along Legend Street in the Adwenpa Curtain area, including a rural bank and a forex bureau, as targets.
He reportedly planned to execute the operation over three days, beginning on Saturday, December 27, 2025.
The plan was to access the ceiling on Saturday night, break into the shops on Sunday, December 28, and exit in the early hours of Monday, December 29, before owners reopen the shops and offices.
However, at about 3:00 a.m. on Monday, the suspect was unable to exit after noticing police officers on foot patrol in the area.
At approximately 6:00 a.m., one of the shop owners opened his shop and discovered it had been ransacked, prompting an immediate report to the police.
Upon visiting the scene and conducting an inspection, the Police officers suspected the suspect was still hiding within the ceiling.
A thorough search led to the arrest of Ibrahim Mutawakiru, who was found hiding above the reinforced concrete ceiling of a bank, which he was unable to break through.
During the arrest, police retrieved a sack containing various tools believed to have been used in carrying out the criminal activities. Items recovered included two hacksaw blades, a hammer, a metal punch, two screwdrivers, a crowbar, assorted keys, a pair of pliers, a keypad mobile phone, a pair of scissors, a grinding machine, two grinding wheels, three wooden hammer handles, and cash amounting to GH¢9,133.00.
All items have been retained as exhibits.
The suspect is currently in police custody, assisting with investigations, and will be put before court.
Meanwhile, the New Juaben South Police Command has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property, especially during the festive season.
As part of intensified security operations, the Ghana Police Service has arrested twenty-eight (28) youths at identified ghettos within the municipality for alleged involvement in criminal activities, including gambling, narcotic drug use and trafficking, and the sale of unauthorized pharmaceuticals.
The Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Ransford Nsiah, said the arrests followed enhanced security measures implemented during the festive season.
He explained that patrols were intensified using diverse operational strategies, including the deployment of plain-clothes police personnel to strengthen surveillance and improve crime detection.
All suspects were screened and profiled. Those found culpable have been arraigned before court, while investigations into the remaining cases continue.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
