Police bust taxi-based mobile phone snatching syndicate in Accra
The Ghana Police Service has arrested three suspects believed to be members of an organised criminal syndicate that uses taxis to snatch mobile phones and other valuables from unsuspecting passengers.
The suspects, identified as Sasu Lawrence, also known as Agbe, aged 45; Richard Osei, aged 36; and Charles Kofi Nti, also known as Survivor, aged 40, were arrested last Monday during intelligence-led operations in Accra and its surrounding areas.
The arrests followed sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated police operations by the National Operations Directorate (NOD) Surveillance Unit, in collaboration with the NOD Emergency Command Centre.
Modus operandi
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra yesterday the Director of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Theodore Hlormenu, explained that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were part of an organised syndicate that targeted passengers in the early hours of the day while posing as commercial taxi drivers.
According to him, the modus operandi involved two suspects sitting in the front seats of the taxi, with a third at the back.
Phones retrieved from the suspects
Once a victim boards the vehicle, the doors are deliberately locked, and as the victim struggles to alight, the suspect seated at the back pretends to assist but allegedly steals the victim’s mobile phone or wallet.
DCOP Hlormenu said investigations into the syndicate were triggered by a complaint lodged on November 17, 2025, by a victim who reported that she boarded a taxi from Nmai Dzorn to Adenta Aviation.
Upon reaching her destination, he said the occupants of the vehicle allegedly threatened her and forcibly took her iPhone 14 before asking her to get out of the taxi.
DCOP Hlormenu said subsequent intelligence gathering and technical surveillance led to the identification of a black and orange Toyota Vitz used in committing the crime, as well as the movements and hideouts of the suspects across Kasoa, Taifa, Pokuase, Amasaman and other surrounding areas.
Arrest
Last Monday, he said, police surveillance systems tracked and intercepted the suspected vehicle at Weija, leading to the arrest of Sasu Lawrence.
Further operations at Pokuase Mayera, he said, resulted in the arrest of Richard Osei, who attempted to flee upon noticing police presence.
A green Daewoo Matiz, suspected to be linked to the syndicate, was retrieved as an exhibit.
He said the team later proceeded to Doblo Gonno, where Charles Kofi Nti was found hiding in a room within his residence and was arrested after a search of the premises.
DCOP Hlormenu said all three suspects were currently in police custody, assisting with investigations, while efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other accomplices, including receivers of the stolen items.
He mentioned two suspected receivers as Williams Ampong, aged 47, trader at Circle and Achimota, and Frederick Kwaku Gyadu, aged 50.
He further assured the public of the police's commitment to dismantling criminal networks that threaten the safety and security of citizens, and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
