Police intercept, kill one as armed robbers attempt to steal copper cathodes

Police in Chililabombwe has recorded a shooting incident in which the Anti-Robbery squad found three suspects on top of the truck attempting to steal copper cathodes.

This happened on Tuesday at 06:40 hours along International Road near kakoso Stream Bridge in Chililabombwe District when the Anti-Robbery squad, was conducting routine patrols along the said road.

Danny Mwale, Deputy Police Public Relations Office, said the suspects had cut the ratchets used to tie the bundles together and were about to start throwing the copper cathodes off the moving truck when Police challenged them.

Mwale in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lusaka explained that the suspects only jumped off the truck when Police fired warning shots.

He stated that efforts to stop them failed as they all scampered and unfortunately, one was hit by a bullet on his left knee and sustained a bullet wound.

“The suspect was apprehended and found with a matchete and a knife on him. Upon being interviewed, he identified himself as Marron kaluchelo aged 33 of kakoso plots in Chililabombwe District. He also revealed the names of the people he was with and where they take the Copper Cathodes after stealing.

“The suspect was rushed to Kaloso District Hospital for medical attention but later died around 10:30 hours. His Body is in the same Hospital mortuary awaiting formal identification and post-mortem,” Mwale said.

According to Mwale, brief facts were that on January 31, 2023 at around 05:00 hours, the Anti-Robbery crack squad in Chililabombwe went for patrols in an effort to curb the rising copper thefts and thefts of goods in transit.

He said whilst doing patrols along the International Road, they spotted three suspects on top of the Howo Truck registration number registration 2386 AT05 and trailer registration number 2390 AT05 which was driven by Mukalay Richard aged 49 of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“The truck was carrying copper cathodes enroute to Tanzania. Police have launched a manhunt for the other suspects who are currently on the run,” Mwale said.