Anti-robbery squad kills a suspected dangerous criminal in Riverside Extension

In Kitwe, the anti-robbery squad yesterday shot dead a suspected dangerous criminal in Riverside Extension who was suspected to be behind a series of armed robberies.

Eye witnesses said the bandit was shot from behind opening up part of his chest around 10:00 hours after an exchange of fire with the police as five other people in his company escaped.

The bandit was found in a white twin cab Toyota Hilux with a fake registration number plate ALE 7634 believed to have stolen in Lusaka from a Mr Noel Nkhoma after police received a tip from a relative of Mr Nkhoma.

The police recovered seven rounds of ammunition from the suspect with an Austrian made automotive Glock pistol and wallet containing the National Registration Card (NRC) of Mr Nkhoma.

Police sources said the suspect, who is the mastermind of a series of armed robberies, was found in the parked stolen vehicle in Riverside Extension with five other people.

They said the original registration number of the recovered Toyota Hilux was ABV 5000 and that the suspect attempted to flee after realizing police presence.

“We received a report from an uncle of the complainant who is the owner of the vehicle which was stolen from Lusaka.

The suspect attempted to run away after realizing our presence and after exchange of fire, he was shot from behind as he was about to bolt,” the sources said.

A manhunt has been instituted to track down the other five bandits.

The identity of the middle-aged suspect who is believed to be of West African origin had not been established.