Suspect in handcuffs(Photo by Kojo Ansah)
The New Juaben South Municipal Police Command in the Eastern Region has arrested a 33-year-old suspected burglar, Ibrahim Mutawakilu, believed to be responsible for a series of shop break-ins within the municipality.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested after he became trapped in the reinforced concrete ceiling of a rural bank in Koforidua while attempting to escape.
Police said preliminary investigations indicate that Mutawakilu arrived in Koforidua on December 17, 2025, where he allegedly conducted surveillance for about eleven days on several shops and offices within the municipality.
During the period, he reportedly identified about ten shops along Legend Hall Street in the Adwenpa Curtain area, including a rural bank and a forex bureau, as potential targets.
The suspect is said to have planned the operation to coincide with the weekend when shop owners would be away. Police said the plan was to access the buildings on Saturday night, December 27, 2025, gain entry through the ceiling, break into the shops on Sunday, December 28, and exit in the early hours of Monday, December 29, before business owners returned.
Investigations revealed that his modus operandi involved climbing buildings at night and removing portions of roofing sheets to access the ceiling before breaking into the premises below.
However, at about 3:00 a.m. on Monday, the suspect reportedly became stranded in the ceiling after noticing police officers on routine foot patrol in the area and was unable to escape.
He was later discovered by the patrol team hiding in the reinforced concrete ceiling of the rural bank and was arrested without incident.
Police say the suspect is currently in custody and assisting with investigations, while efforts are underway to establish his possible involvement in other burglary cases within and outside the municipality.
The Police have advised shop owners and business operators to enhance security around their premises, particularly roofing and ceiling structures, and to report suspicious activity promptly.
Story By Kojo Ansah
