A 26-year-old car theft suspect was arrested Wednesday afternoon at Kombat after he was found operating a stolen vehicle.

Spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Otjozondjupa Region, Inspector Maureen Mbeha in an interview with Nampa on Thursday said the suspect allegedly stole a 2019 Ford Ranger he found parked at a service station in Okahandja Tuesday morning.

The owner of the white double cab Ranger was reportedly in the shop while his vehicle’s ignition was on, Mbeha said, adding that his cellphone was also in the vehicle.

The unlicensed suspect allegedly jumped into the vehicle and drove to Otjiwarongo.

He passed Otjiwarongo to Otavi where he refuelled but sped off to Tsumeb without paying the N.dollars 500 required to the fuel station attendants.

“Photos of the stolen vehicle then started to circulate on social media and a Tsumeb police officer on duty spotted the same vehicle there,” said Mbeha.

The police officer allegedly approached the suspect and demanded to see his driving licence, but he sped off to Grootfontein.

A chase with this Tsumeb police officer then started, but the Ranger was faster than the police vehicle, explained Mbeha.

The police officer called Grootfontein for reinforcement, who later also joined the chase in the direction of Kombat, she said.

Kombat police were informed and they blocked the road, leading to his arrest.

He is now charged with motor vehicle theft, fleeing from law enforcement officers, and theft of fuel at a service station, amongst others, Mbeha said.

The suspect will first appear in the Otavi Magistrate’s Court Thursday, and later transfer to Okahandja where the vehicle was stolen.

The recovered vehicle has been taken to the Okahandja Police Station.

Source: Namibia Press Agency