Martin Endjala
One robbery suspect was shot on Tuesday and four more were arrested after members of the Windhoek City Police reacted swiftly to reports of a break-in at a house in Khomasdal.
The police then arrested the suspects in Grysblock on Florence Nightingale Street, at the four-way stop, between Papa G’s Chicken and a car wash.
The Namibian Police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi confirmed this on Tuesday.
The suspects face charges of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, according to a preliminary report.
The incident occurred at around 11h57 in Hofsanger Street, Khomasdal.
The five suspects allegedly broke the padlock of the front main gate, reversed their vehicle inside the yard, and displayed a fake registration N147 679W on a Honda Fit, while the license disc displayed N192 409W.
They then broke into the main house, removing two television sets and other items. They then moved to the back flats, where they removed another TV, a laptop, and other items.
While the suspects were busy packing items in the vehicle, the boyfriend of one of the tenants arrived at the house, prompting the suspects to flee.
The boyfriend then pursued the suspects, who in the meantime called the police.
“They sped off up to Winnie Madikizela Road, where they were intercepted by the City Police Vehicle; they then turned towards Oponganda Cemetery, then into Florence Nightingale Street, towards Grysblok, where they brought the vehicle to a standstill after several shots were fired on the vehicle,” said Shikwambi.
One of the suspects was shot in the lower left leg.
All five suspects were arrested.
The stolen items include three TV sets, one laptop, three wigs, two iPhone chargers, jewellery, and other uncounted items estimated at the value of N$ 65 000.
“Once again, the nation is warned to be wary of criminals who are using every opportunity to rob us of our valuable items.,” she warned.
Additionally, she cautioned the public not to leave their items unattended as this time is privy to criminal activities such as housebreaking.
“It is also known that criminals roaming around in neighbourhoods are keeping surveillance and observing movements of residents,” she said.
The public is urged to take precautionary measures to make sure that properties are properly locked and secured and that someone is watching over them.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
