By Anna Ingwafa
OSHAKATI
Suspected vehicle thieves were caught red-handed while attempting to steal a Toyota 4×4 bakkie belonging to a local businessman last week.
The incident involving a bakkie that belongs to local businessman, Tuhafeni Ngilewanga, took place last week in Oshakati West while the victim was fast asleep at around 01h00.
He only awoke after his neighbours raised the alarm.
Oshana Regional Police Commander Ndahangwapo Kashihakumwa said the attempted theft is linked to a suspected syndicate stealing cars from Namibia to Angola.
The four suspected criminals were reportedly drunk while attempting to steal the bakkie.
They were identified as Tomas Jafet (46), Tomas Shivute (30), Moses Lukas (30) and Hifikepunye Shanyenga (24) and have since appeared in the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court.
Police impounded a car with an Angolan number plate used by the four suspects during the attempted theft.
Kashihakumwa warned criminals that the police in the Oshana Region are serious and they will leave no stone unturned in the fight against crime.
Car thefts have increased in the north.
Meanwhile, the Oshana police are looking for a 4×4 Toyota pick-up that belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN). The vehicle was stolen from the church premises at Oniipa recently.
Two weeks ago, Oshana police recovered a minibus belonging to the Zambian High Commission in Windhoek after it was stolen.
The bus was found dismantled at Onathinge garage near Ondangwa in the Oshana Region.
Three men were arrested after a member of the public alerted the police.