A 30-year-old male suspect in a house break-in at Okahandja was on Thursday shot and injured by a Namibian Police Force (NamPol) officer at the town.

NamPol Unit Commander for Community Affairs in the Otjozondjupa Region, Inspector Maureen Mbeha in an interview with Nampa on Friday said five suspects were allegedly involved in the house break-in at the town’s Extension 6 residential area on Thursday.

“It is alleged the suspects broke into the house and stole properties valued at more than N.dollars 55 000,” Mbeha said.

The suspects allegedly fled in a Toyota Corolla sedan with Ondangwa registration numbers, she said.

A few minutes later, the sedan was spotted at a house in the Five Rand informal area by members of the police force who were in hot pursuit, said Mbeha.

As the officers approached, five male suspects allegedly started exiting the yard in different directions.

One police officer with a pistol gave chase and fired a warning shot, but the suspects allegedly continued running, Mbeha explained.

“It was at this time the 30-year-old was shot and hit in the right leg forcing him to stop,” said Mbeha.

Three other suspects who were also trying to escape with him aged 34; 36, and 40 years stopped and were arrested, bringing the total arrests to four, added Mbeha.

The fifth suspect who is said to be armed is still on the run, while the 30-year-old who was injured is admitted in a stable condition at the Okahandja State Hospital under police guard.

The police so far have recovered a smart television, two laptops, five watches, cosmetics, clothes, an electric gate motor, two wooden doors, and a burglar bar door which the suspects allegedly stole from the house they broke into, Mbeha said.

The four suspects will on Monday appear in the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court on charges of house break-in with intent to steal and theft.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency