Cops’ firearms stolen at Keetmanshoop

POLICE at Keetmanshoop have arrested two trial-awaiting prisoners on charges of housebreaking and theft, Karas Regional Commander Josephat Abel confirmed.

According to Abel, Michael Jossop (20) and Elrico Cloete (17) stole two pistols and ammunition from the Police station’s underground arsenal while they were in custody. The suspects had broken open the padlock on the arsenal’s door, he said.The firearms and ammunition were found on the premises of the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday afternoon.It is believed that the suspects smuggled the firearms to the courthouse when they had to appear there on other charges, Abel said.Abel said the Police are investigating a charge of negligence against the officer who was on duty at the time.* The Police at Keetmanshoop on Saturday arrested a 26-year-old Botswana national, Rodney Thabo Hurndall, on a charge of possession of drugs.Abel said Police were acting on a tip-off from the public and found the suspect in possession of 25,5 grams of cocaine with a street value of N$127 500.He was arrested on the B1 road between Keetmanshoop and Luederitz.The suspect has appeared in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court and was released on bail of N$15 000.The case was postponed until May 12 and the suspect was asked to surrender his passport.The suspects had broken open the padlock on the arsenal’s door, he said.The firearms and ammunition were found on the premises of the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday afternoon.It is believed that the suspects smuggled the firearms to the courthouse when they had to appear there on other charges, Abel said.Abel said the Police are investigating a charge of negligence against the officer who was on duty at the time.* The Police at Keetmanshoop on Saturday arrested a 26-year-old Botswana national, Rodney Thabo Hurndall, on a charge of possession of drugs.Abel said Police were acting on a tip-off from the public and found the suspect in possession of 25,5 grams of cocaine with a street value of N$127 500.He was arrested on the B1 road between Keetmanshoop and Luederitz.The suspect has appeared in the Keetmanshoop Magistrate’s Court and was released on bail of N$15 000.The case was postponed until May 12 and the suspect was asked to surrender his passport.