ONE suspect among four behind a spate of theft from motor vehicle offences in Lusaka has been shot dead during an exchange of fire with police.
The second criminal who was also injured in the fire exchange with police is under guard, the other is in police custody, while the fourth is on the run and a manhunt has been launched.
Police deputy spokesperson Danny Mwale said the incident occurred on May 19th, this year around 21:00 hours.
Mr Mwale said the suspects are alleged to have been behind a spate of Thefts from Motor Vehicles recently recorded by Police in Lusaka.
“Police in Lusaka have gunned down one suspected criminal while another survived with gunshot wounds on the leg after the two parties engaged in an exchange of fire near Waterfalls shopping Mall. One of the two other suspects who managed to escape was apprehended after officers gave chase,” he said.
He explained that between May 17, 2023 at 21:00 hours and May 19, 2023 at 20:00 hours, the suspects are alleged to have broken into four different motor vehicles at Engine Filling Station and Waterfalls Mall.
He said went away with money, laptops, cellular phones, subwoofer speakers and some handbags containing various documents.
“On May 19, 2023, Police officers conducted an intelligence led operation at the Mall where three people were spotted attempting to break into a Toyota Prado around 18:00 hours. The suspects noticed that Police officers had seen them and immediately abandoned their activity and sped off using a Toyota Belta which was bearing registration number BAK 1107.”
“Officers gave chase in an attempt to stop the vehicle ,but the suspects started firing at the officers. An exchange of fire ensued and in the process, officers managed to deflate the tyres of the Toyota Belta. Two suspects jumped out of the vehicle after it could not move further and started running away. Officers gave chase and managed to apprehend one who was identified as Dickson Milanzi aged 32 of Matero,” he said.
Mr Mwale explained that when officers approached their motor vehicle, one of the suspects who occupied the back seat was found in an unconscious state with gunshot wounds on his back while the driver was found with bullet wounds on his right leg.
He said the two were rushed to Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital where one was pronounced dead upon arrival while the one with bullet wounds identified as John Njovu aged 32 of Balastone Park in Lusaka is receiving treatment at the same Hospital.
The body of the deceased has since been deposited in the University Teaching Hospital mortuary awaiting formal identification and postmortem.
“Police officers upon searching the Toyota Belta, recovered a pistol, one Lenovo Laptop, a subwoofer and some motor vehicle breaking implements. The laptop and a subwoofer speaker have since been positively,” he said.
Mr Mwale said the registration number plate on the vehicle used by the suspects was also discovered to be fake.
“The original number plate for the Toyota Belta is AID 359ZM.One suspect is detained in custody while a manhunt for the other one has been launched. The Toyota Belta has been impounded,” he said.
