KEETMANSHOOP - In a bizarre turn of events, the police’s crime investigations unit commander in Aus, Warrant Officer Jesaja Ngalandji, was arrested earlier this week on charges of stock theft, using a police motor-vehicle without consent, malicious damage to property and defeating the ends of justice.

//Kharas regional crime investigations coordinator Chrispin Mubebo said the incident happened on Monday night on the C-13 Aus-Helmeringhausen road in the Aus district. 

“The suspect used his position in public office to gain gratification by stealing stock belonging to someone else,” he stated.

 Mubebo said Ngalandji stole four sheep, which he loaded onto a police vehicle without authorisation. 

He added that the police officer furthermore failed to stop the motor-vehicle when requested to do so by the Aus police station commander, leading to the left rear and front tyres being damaged after they were shot at by police to disable it. 

“He furthermore attempted to flee the scene of the crime, but was eventually apprehended,” explained the crime investigations coordinator.

He said all sheep were recovered, whose value still needs to be determined. Mubebo added that the suspect appeared in the Lüderitz Magistrate’s Court on 27 April, where he was denied bail. His case was postponed to 12 May 2021 whilst investigations are continuing.

sklukowski@nepc.com.na