Niël Terblanché
THE two men who robbed a Shell service station in Swakopmund more than a week ago while armed with a toy replica of an AK-47 assault rifle have been identified as Simeon Theofelus Kandowa and Nangolo Nepolo.
Nepolo is also a suspect in the cash in transit robbery that occurred at the Woermann & Brock branch situated in the Mondesa residential area of the coastal town more than a month ago.
During the armed robbery at the shell service station, the two men broke through the glass door of the shop on the premises and stole the cash register and three mobile phones estimated worth about N$13 000.
During a follow-up operation by members of the Namibian Police, they found the toy AK-47 laying in the sand not far from the crime scene.
During the robbery at Woerman & Brock about a month ago, Nepolo and his fellow gang members reportedly attacked the crew of cash in transit vehicle and stole N$137 000 in cash.
During the attack, a shootout occurred during which a security official sustained a serious gun wound.
It was also suspected that one of the robbers was seriously wounded.
Detectives during a follow-up operation found the robbery gang’s getaway car and inside discovered a large amount of dried blood and four loose teeth.
Three suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery shortly after the incident.
A fourth suspect was arrested about two weeks later while hiding out at a village in the North.
Nepolo, however, managed to evade arrest and even perpetrated a second robbery while armed with a toy gun last week.
The Namibian police has directed a request to the public to assist them in tracing the two suspects and a third person who managed to escape from police custody at the start of the weekend.
Johannes Kakala Ashipala and Sakarias Silas were incarnated and awaiting trial on charges of housebreaking and theft at the Swakopmund Police Station when they made their escape.
Ashipala was, however, traced to a small village in the vicinity of Omuthiya and arrested on Saturday morning, while Silas managed to evade arrest.
Any person who might have information about the whereabouts of Sakarias Silas, Simeon Theofelus Kandowa, or Nangolo Nepolo is requested to contact Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu at 081 246 4757, Detective Inspector Rosa Tjihavero at 081 413 7105 or Detective Warrant Officer Samuel Auxab 081 276 6844 or to provide such information at the nearest Police Station.
