Police in Lusaka arrest two suspects for vandalism, stealing

Police in Lusaka have arrested and charged two suspects for vandalizing public property.

Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, had identified those arrested as William Jere, aged 29, of unknown house number in Makeni Konga Kanono area and Justin Banda, aged 22, of unknown house number of Kanyama Ligoms area.

Hamoonga confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday.

He said Police also managed to impound a motor vehicle the suspects were using, a Silver Toyota Vitz, Registration Number ABX 7395, Engine Number 1SZ-0011086, Chassis Number SCP 10 -3001628.

“This was after Villa Lucia Police Post in West Wood received a report from Mongo Chinyama, aged 40, of Kacheta area, who reported on behalf of ZESCO that unknown criminals had vandalized a transformer and stolen all copper components,” Hamoonga said.

He said the value was yet to be ascertained by ZESCO personnel.

Hamoonga said this occurred between October 3, 2023 at around 23:00 hours and October 4, 2023 at around 04:00 hours in Kacheta area.

“Brief facts are that the reporter saw a strange motor vehicle passing through the area around 23:00 hours heading towards the direction where the transformer was mounted,” he said.

Hamoonga said some hours later, there was some strange noise where the transformer was and shortly after that, there was power outage in the area.

Hamoonga explained the reporter then went outside and could not see the mounted transformer.

“He immediately alerted neighbors within the area who responded quickly and managed to seal off the area and apprehended the suspects,” he said.

Hamoonga said the neighbours and the reporter also managed to impound a motor vehicle the suspects were using, a Silver Toyota Vitz, Registration Number ABX 7395, Engine Number 1SZ-0011086, Chassis Number SCP 10-3001628.

He said the case was immediately reported at the police post and officers rushed to the scene and found the transformer covered on the ground, with oil spillage.

“They also found the tools used and confirmed the incident. The suspects have been detained in custody and will appear in court soon,” Hamoonga said.

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