Stolen safe and firearms recovered

Stolen safe and firearms recoveredWalvis Bay burglary an inside job The coastal police have appealed to taxi drivers who transport stolen goods and criminals to report the crimes. Four suspects arrested in connection with the theft of a safe containing firearms, valuables and money during a burglary in Walvis Bay on 24 November made their first appearance in the Walvis Bay Magistrate''s Court last week.

Ermelinda Dausas (32), Caroline Tjikongo (32), Theopisa Gaeses (45) and Roman Uiseb (40) were arrested in Kuisebmond, Uis and Okombahe respectively on 28 November in connection with the burglary, which occurred at a residence in 6th Street.

The accused appeared before Magistrate Eden Iyambo who postponed the case to 17 January for further investigation and set bail at N$5 000.

Detective Chief Inspector Moses Uwu-Khaeb said the crime was well planned and executed. He pointed out that one of the suspects had worked as a domestic worker at the house and was fired recently.

“The suspects allegedly entered the house between 08:00 and 13:00 and removed a safe containing gold coins valued at N$15 000, firearms, ammunition and N$20 000 cash. The police investigation continues and the search is on for three other suspects, whose identities are known. It is just a matter of time before we will have them behind bars,” said Uwe-Khaeb.

Police intelligence led to the first arrest, a female suspect in Okombahe, on 28 November and the subsequent recovery of a rifle, shotgun and the safe hidden on a farm 20km out of town.

Three revolvers and ammunition were recovered at Uis, followed by the arrest of two other suspects in Walvis Bay. The gold coins and cash are still missing.

Uwu-Khaeb advised the public to safeguard property and inform neighbours to be on the lookout on their behalf when going away. He also appealed to taxi drivers who transport stolen goods and criminals to report crimes.

“We are monitoring the movement of habitual criminals and will hunt those down who are guilty of committing offences. The community should also refrain from harbouring criminals and ignoring criminal activities. Those hiding stolen property are endangering themselves. Criminals use stolen firearms to commit robberies and murders. Rather report to the police when firearms are brought to you for safekeeping.”

Erongo community policing officer Warrant Officer Ileni Shapumba advised community members to make use of the extended amnesty on unwanted and illegal firearms and to hand such weapons in at police stations.

An amnesty announced in terms of section 4 of the Arms and Ammunitions Act in August this year for the surrender of illegal firearms, ammunition and armament has been extended to 18 February next year by the safety ministry.

Radom police patrols and mobile roadblocks are paying off and led to some arrests in the Omaruru area.

Two suspects, Marcelinus Gariseb (27) and Petrus Moses (27), both workers on Ehuiro farm, were arrested on 26 November at approximately 21:45 for being in possession of the carcass of a stolen cow valued at N$15 000.

They appeared in the Omaruru Magistrate''s Court. Police officers on patrol noticed a suspicious vehicle parked next to the Ehuiro farm fence, conducted a search and discovered the carcass.

Andrew Jon Kelly (44) was arrested on 26 November and appeared before the Omaruru Magistrate''s Court on a charge of possession of dagga.

Police officers spotted Kelly''s vehicle parked on the Omaruru-Okombahe gravel road and discovered twenty bags of dagga with a street value of N$350 during a search.

OTIS FINCK