Malawi Police arrest four notorious robbers plaguing Blantyre city
Criminal Investigations Officers (CIDs) at Soche Police in Blantyre have arrested four notorious criminals suspected to have been behind the high-scale robberies within the city.
The four suspects, aged between 23 and 32, are currently on full remand at Chichiri Prison awaiting court appearance, police have told Nyasa Times.
Blantyre Police Spokesperson, Elizabeth Divala, said Thursday the four Ndirande residents are suspected to have lately been terrorizing the commercial city with a series of armed robberies.
The police spokesperson identified the suspected criminals as 23-year-old Kelvin Nyirenda from Bolero, Chief Chikulamayembe in Rumphi, Gift Ephraim, 23, of Village Kamphimbi, T/A Kamphimbi in Balaka, Timothy Makachu, 32, from Imfanjawo Village, T/A Chapananga, Chikhwawa and 28-year-old, Harold Mtendere, who comes from Thomas Village, TA Changata in Thyolo District.
Among others, the four are believed to be part of a mob of about 15 robbers who broke into Ntonya International Private School offices where they stole two computers, a projector, computer scanner, a cash chest containing K1.2 million and other items.
The same gang is also guessed to have broken into Agape Life Church in Blantyre and went away with assorted church equipment such as media convertors, speakers and generator.
“Almost everything that was stolen from Agape Church has been recovered while Ntonya has also identified the two desktop computers,” Divala told Nyasa Times.
After invading Ntonya School, the robbers reportedly captured one guard and tied him in a classroom while the other three bolted and alerted Soche Police who arrived at the scene after the robbers had already fled.
“Besides the items we recovered for Ntonya and Agape Church the suspects were also found with six complete sets of desktop computers, fridge, sound mixers, monitors, laptops and several other items which they failed to explain the source so we charged them with an offence of being found in possession of property suspected to have been stolen,” explained Divala.
Police first charged the suspected criminals with an offence of breaking into a building and committing a felony therein which is contrary to Section 311(1) of the Penal Code.
She said the suspects already appeared in court to take plea (for the first offence) where they pleaded not guilty.
Using their intelligence, Soche Police first nabbed the main suspect, Timothy Makachu, before laying ambush for the other three who they started trailing following a tip from the general public.
“We applaud the well-wishers who came forward to provide us with the information that led to the capturing of the other suspects. We urge the public to continue doing the same so that we have a crime-free nation,” said Divala.
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