Black Mazda Demio gang busted in Windhoek

The police have recovered hundreds of stolen items, including four vehicles, chicken, cellphones, perfume, household goods, and the infamous black Mazda Demio allegedly used to terrorise Windhoek’s taxi users.

The recovery comes after the police arrested three individuals that broke into a house in Rocky Crest last week.

The Namibian Police confirmed that the arrested gang has been connected to the infamous black Mazda Demio that has been terrorising Windhoek residents.

Police chief inspector Katrina Naukushu says officers discovered more stolen items in a shack at Oshitenda informal settlement at Katutura last Thursday.

“The recovered property included pillows, blankets, clothes, suitcases, alcohol, camping chairs, handbags and perfume among other items believed to have been stolen from various homes around the city.

“We are still following leads to recover more stolen property,” she says.

Naukushu says the police received a call about suspicious men driving a black Mazda Demio on Wednesday at 14h10, a vehicle already known to residents for its alleged involvement in several house break-ins and robberies.

The suspects reportedly approached a homeowner, claiming to be “interlock specialists” who wanted to inspect her house.

“When the woman refused to let them in and raised the alarm, the suspects sped off and triggered a chase involving neighbours and the police.

“In the process, the suspects overturned the vehicle they were travelling in at the time, a metallic brown Nissan Note, on Sando Street in Rocky Crest.

“One suspect was arrested at the scene, while two others were caught hiding in nearby bushes with the help of community members and police officers. We believe a fourth suspect managed to flee,” Naukushu says.

She says the investigation has since expanded to the recovery of more items on Thursday.

“We also found two fake number plates, N132627W and N5839W, believed to have been used to disguise the vehicles while committing crimes,” she says.

Naukushu has urged residents who may have been victims of housebreaking or theft involving the black Mazda Demio to report to the Otjomuise Police Station to help identify their stolen property.

“We are requesting the community to come out if you know that this black Mazda Demio either broke into your house or robbed you.

“Recovered items will be displayed for identification. The owners will be happy to receive their items back, because normally you find that after housebreaking there’s no recovery and no arrest but this time, it was different,” the police say.

Naukushu says police officers have been working tirelessly under the command of the senior officials to crack down on criminal groups operating in Windhoek.

“We are on our toes now, when we are in the water, we are there, in the air, we are there. They might as well surrender and stop robbing people, because we will find you,” she says.

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