Africa-Press – Namibia. THE police have issued a warning to the general public, following the high number of reported robberies in the country.
Police spokesperson warrant officer Silas Shipandeni this week confirmed a robbery seen in a video clip circulating on social media in which a pensioner is robbed while withdrawing money at an ATM at Ohangwena in the north.
Shipandeni said the victim was robbed of N$4 000.
“They pushed the old lady in the middle and took her money from the ATM, pretending to help her,” he said.
He cautioned members of the public to not entertain strangers at ATMs.
“Never trust anyone who is not a security guard at an ATM, because most of the time those are just criminals waiting to strike,” he said.
Shipandeni said another pensioner was robbed of items of which the value is still to be identified at home.
“Robbery is out of hand. We do not want to scare the public, but we are just trying to caution them by telling the truth,” he said.
He advised the public to avoid exposing their valuable items while in public, such as wearing earphones while walking.
“This is not only a matter for the police. We need to participate from both sides,” he said.
Shipandeni further advised the public to stay away from strangers – at night and during the day.
He said people should be vigilant at stop signs.
“Whenever we meet people, always avoid conversations, because most of the time they do not have good intentions,” he said.
Shipandeni advised victims to pay attention to evidence when being robbed, so they can be arrested easily.
According to the weekend crime report compiled by national police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, three men attacked and robbed a member of the public at Kamila bottle store near Ehafo Supermarket at Uupindi.
The suspects allegdely attacked the complainant with knives and bottles, and threatened to injure the person.
The individual was robbed of a cellphone, brown wallet with documents, and N$14 850 in cash.
The suspects allegedly used a white Nissan March with an unknown registration number as getaway car.
No arrests or recoveries have been made.
Police investigations continue.
Shikwambi confirmed another robbery at Wanaheda at Katutura.
A man pointed a gun at the victim, threatened to stab him with a knife, and robbed him of his vehicle, a Honda Fit, and N$85 180 in cash.
No arrests or recoveries have been made, and police investigations continue.
The Namibian earlier this week reported that the suspect of a house robbery at Hohland Park last Wednesday has been arrested.
According to Shikwambi, the two suspects, Frans Andreas (33) and Frieda Shangelao Eelu, yesterday appeared before magistrate Desire Kamboua in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on a charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances.
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