Placido Hilukilwa
A YOUNG man, who was reportedly caught red-handed while trying to steal a motor vehicle at Epalela in the Omusati Region, was shot and injured after threatening the car owner with panga.
The incident happened at Mokko Garage during the early morning hours of 10 September.
It is alleged that the 21-year-old suspect used an unknown object to open the door of the black Volkswagen Golf with registration number N 5370 UP, got inside, broke the ignition pad and tried to start the vehicle, but in doing so inadvertently alerted the vehicle’s owner who surprised the thief inside the car.
According to police spokesperson Lineekela Shikongo, the 41-year-old complainant fired a warning shot but the thief reacted by initially threatening him with a panga before running away. The complainant then fired the second shot and the bullet struck the fleeing suspect, entering his body below one of his armpits.
The injured suspect was admitted in the Outapi district hospital where he is under police guard.
“He is not yet charged due to his current medical condition but will appear in the Outapi magistrate’s court as soon as he is fit to stand trial,” said Shikongo.
