• Taxi Cab Robbery Syndicate Targets Women in Early Morning Commutes
• Fake Taxi Drivers Use Locked Doors to Steal Phones From Passengers
• Police Uncover Organized Taxi Crime Ring Operating on City Roads
The Ghana Police Service has arrested three suspects believed to be members of an organized criminal syndicate that uses taxi cabs as a cover to steal mobile phones and other personal valuables from unsuspecting passengers.
According to police sources, preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects operate mainly during the early hours of the day, a period when many commuters are rushing to work or school and are less cautious about boarding commercial vehicles. The suspects allegedly pose as legitimate taxi drivers in search of passengers, blending into routine morning traffic to avoid raising suspicion.
Investigators say the group follows a calculated and coordinated pattern. Two of the suspects reportedly occupy the front seats of the taxi, giving the impression of a normal driver–passenger arrangement, while the third suspect positions himself at the back seat. This seating arrangement, police explain, allows them to execute their plan with ease once a victim boards the vehicle.
Police further disclosed that once a passenger—mostly women—enters the taxi, the suspects allegedly lock the doors to prevent the victim from alighting. As the victim struggles to open the door or attempts to exit the moving or stationary vehicle, the suspect seated at the back pretends to offer assistance. In the process, the suspect allegedly steals the victim’s mobile phone, wallet, or other personal belongings without immediately drawing attention.
In many cases, victims reportedly only realize they have been robbed after the suspects have dropped them off or driven away, making it difficult to identify the perpetrators or trace the vehicle. This method, police say, has enabled the syndicate to operate for some time before their arrest.
The three suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations. The Ghana Police Service says the arrests form part of broader efforts to clamp down on criminal activities involving public transport and to ensure the safety of commuters, especially during early morning hours.
Police have also indicated that investigations are being expanded to identify and arrest individuals who receive, trade, or resell the stolen mobile phones and other valuables. Authorities believe dismantling the network of receivers is critical to completely disrupting the syndicate’s operations.
The Ghana Police Service has advised the public to remain vigilant when boarding commercial vehicles, particularly in the early hours of the day, and to promptly report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station as efforts continue to enhance public safety across the country.
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