�Pastor� Masterminds Armed Robbery Attempt

An itinerant preacher in Kumasi who masterminded the robbery of some foreign nationals in Accra, has been arrested. Joseph Tommy, 42, who usually preaches at Kejetia, Pampaso and Asafo, was arrested with his four accomplices, following a tip-off, a fifth person he contacted to join them, gave the police. The others are Bright Agbesi, 24, househelp of the foreigners, Samuel Bright, 23, unemployed, Abraham Ayimbilla, 30, a driver, and Sadiq Abubakar, 28, a cattle rearer. The police retrieved a knife, guns with ammunitions and a mask from them. Briefing newsmen in Accra yesterday, the Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Christian Yohonu, disclosed that last June 28, Agbesi, an employee of BHAGYA LAXMI IMPEX Limited, dealers in gold, aware that his employers had been counting money late each night, informed Tommy in Kumasi and they hatched the plot to rob them. Tommy came down to Accra and Agbesi took him round the premises at Tesano, to get acquainted with its layout. According to DCOP Yohonu, Tommy, returned to Kumasi and discussed the robbery plot with Ayimbilla and Sadiq who consented to the deal and supplied him a foreign-made pistol with four rounds of ammunition, and a locally made pistol with a cartridge. Tommy again contacted a fifth person (name withheld) who feigned interest Tommy requested that they meet at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, in Accra. On July 1, the fifth man informed the Kumasi Regional Police Command which in turn, alerted the Accra Regional Police Command. When the man arrived in Accra as arranged, he was met by Tommy and Bright, and as Tommy handed the weapons over to him, plain clothes policemen who were hiding nearby, swooped on, and arrested them. During interrogation, Tommy confessed the plot and agreed to assist to arrest the others. He called Agbesi that, the operation had been successfully carried out and asked him to come for his share of the booty. When Agbesi went to the agreed place at Carprice, at about 10 p.m., he was arrested. Ayimbilla and Sadiq were similarly called and asked to come to Accra for their shares, and when they did, the police effected their arrest. DCOP Yohonu said the man who alerted the police is being used as a witness in the case. In a related development, Mohammed Mumuni, 20, a porter has been arrested for robbery at Russia near Dansoman in Accra. DCOP Yohonu said at about 1:30am on July 1, while the victim was baking bread Mumuni and three others, now at large entered her kitchen wielding a pistol and a machete. Mumuni pulled the pistol on the victim and stole her Techno mobile phone, a Techno tablet and GH�800 cash. The victim lodged a report with the police station and Mumuni was arrested at the Konkomba market. Upon a search, the phone and the tablet were retrieved. He admitted the offence and mentioned Ali Kosei, Tanko and Nabir, as his accomplices.