The suspects
At least three suspects have been arrested for their involvement in a taxi-based mobile phone snatching syndicate, following sustained intelligence gathering, surveillance, and coordinated police operations.
The suspects, identified as Sasu Lawrence, also known as Agbe, 45; Richard Osei, 36; and Charles Kofi Nti, also known as Survivor, 40, were arrested on January 12, 2026.
The “City Bugu” operation was conducted by the National Operations Directorate (NOD) Surveillance Unit, in collaboration with the NOD Emergency Command Centre of the Ghana Police Service. It followed intelligence-led operations conducted in Accra and surrounding areas.
Addressing journalists at a press conference at the Police Headquarters in Accra, Director of Police Operations, DCOP Mr. Theodore Hlormenu, revealed that in addition to the three suspects arrested, two people who received the stolen items are in police custody.
They are Williams Ampong, a 47-year-old phone dealer at Circle, and Frederick Kwaku Gyadu, a 50-year-old who sells at Achimota.
He stated that these suspects are part of an organised criminal syndicate that targets unsuspecting passengers, particularly women, using taxi cabs.
DCOP Mr. Theodore Hlormenu indicated that the syndicate operates mainly in the early hours of the day, posing as commercial taxi drivers searching for passengers.
Narrating their tactics, he said, typically, two suspects position themselves in the front seats of the taxi, while a third sits at the back. When a victim boards the vehicle, the suspects deliberately lock the doors to prevent the victim from alighting easily. In the process of attempting to open the door, the suspect seated at the back pretends to assist and allegedly steals the victim’s mobile phone or wallet.
DCOP Mr. Theodore Hlormenu further stated that investigations into the activities of the suspects 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, occupants of the vehicle threatened her and forcibly took her iPhone 14 before instructing her to alight,” he stated.
He further stated that subsequent intelligence gathering and technical surveillance led to the identification of a black and orange Toyota Vitz used in the commission of the crime, as well as the movements and hideouts of the suspects across Kasoa, Taifa, Pokuase, Amasaman, and surrounding areas.
“On January 12, 2026, the suspect vehicle was tracked through surveillance systems and intercepted at Weija, leading to the arrest of suspect Sasu Lawrence. Further operations were conducted the same day at Pokuase Mayera, where suspect Richard Osei was arrested after attempting to flee upon noticing police presence.
A green Daewoo Matiz, suspected to be linked to the syndicate, was retrieved as an exhibit. The team later proceeded to Doblo Gonno, where the third suspect, Charles Kofi Nti, was found hiding in a room within his residence and was arrested following a search of the premises,” he added.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke