Police officer shot during chase of goat-stealing syndicate in Central Region
A police officer with the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) of the Central North Regional Police Command has sustained a gunshot wound during an operation targeting a suspected goat-stealing syndicate in the Assin South District of the Central Region.
The incident occurred around 0300 hours on Thursday when officers stationed at the Assin Besease barrier received intelligence about a robbery syndicate allegedly stealing goats from communities in the Central and Eastern regions and transporting them along the Assin Fosu–Cape Coast Highway.
According to the Central North Regional Police Commander, DCOP Abraham Acquaye, the suspects operated with vehicles fitted with sirens and official-style lighting systems to create the impression that they were on official duty, allowing them to move without attracting suspicion.
Police officers on duty signalled one of the vehicles, which was using a siren, to stop. However, the driver failed to comply, leading to a high-speed chase.
During the pursuit, officers fired warning shots and also targeted the tyres in an attempt to immobilise the vehicle. The suspects, however, abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush while firing back.
In the process, an officer from the PID unit sustained a gunshot wound to the knee, allegedly fired by the fleeing suspects.
DCOP Acquaye said the police later arrested four out of the six suspects believed to be part of the same syndicate in two separate operations at different locations along the Assin Abease–Tomfokro and Assin Manso–Ochiso roads. Two other suspects managed to escape.
Investigations revealed that the first vehicle, a Mitsubishi Highlander with registration number GR-1623-26, was carrying four suspected robbers and 170 goats believed to have been stolen from several communities in the Central and Eastern regions.
A second vehicle, a Mitsubishi Pajero with registration number GR-9864-19, was later intercepted at Assin Manso-Okyeso with two additional suspects transporting 10 goats and one male sheep.
Both the injured police officer and the suspects who sustained injuries during the exchange were rushed to the St Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu for treatment.
Meanwhile, senior police officers led by the Central Regional Police Commander, DCOP Acquaye, and the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Commander, Dr Winfred Asare-Nyarko, visited the hospital to assess the condition of the injured officer and the suspects.
Out of the animals recovered, 13 pregnant goats and one male sheep died due to the conditions in which they were transported.
The remaining animals have been kept at the ranch of the Assin Fosu Municipal Assembly while investigations continue.
The two vehicles used by the suspects have also been impounded and are currently being held at the Central North Regional Police Headquarters.
