Swakopmund Police say robbery plans foiled

POLICE at Swakopmund arrested two men on Monday for allegedly being in possession of unlicensed firearms.

“We have reason to believe that they were planning a lot of armed robberies at the coast,” regional Police Chief Festus Shilongo said yesterday. He said the Police had been following the movements of the two suspects between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.When they were arrested, two 9mm pistols were found on them, Shilongo said.One of the suspects managed to get away after being handcuffed.The other one is in custody.Shilongo said the two were believed to have been involved in a recent robbery at a Chinese shop at Walvis Bay, where N$40 000 was stolen.He warned businesses to refrain from doing business after hours.Erongo Police also arrested two suspects in connection with the circulation of counterfeit money at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.Namibian banknotes with a face value of N$700 were confiscated, Shilongo said.He said in one incident, shop owners detected a suspect paying with counterfeit money.In another incident, a woman was arrested after her landlord detected that she had paid her rent with fake banknotes.Shilongo warned that even people who don’t realise they are in possession of counterfeit money can be arrested.”The counterfeit notes are very bright, and there are some of the official markings also missing,” Shilongo said.”People and businesses must be aware and report any suspicious money to the Police.”He said the Police had been following the movements of the two suspects between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.When they were arrested, two 9mm pistols were found on them, Shilongo said.One of the suspects managed to get away after being handcuffed.The other one is in custody.Shilongo said the two were believed to have been involved in a recent robbery at a Chinese shop at Walvis Bay, where N$40 000 was stolen.He warned businesses to refrain from doing business after hours.Erongo Police also arrested two suspects in connection with the circulation of counterfeit money at Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.Namibian banknotes with a face value of N$700 were confiscated, Shilongo said.He said in one incident, shop owners detected a suspect paying with counterfeit money.In another incident, a woman was arrested after her landlord detected that she had paid her rent with fake banknotes.Shilongo warned that even people who don’t realise they are in possession of counterfeit money can be arrested.”The counterfeit notes are very bright, and there are some of the official markings also missing,” Shilongo said.”People and businesses must be aware and report any suspicious money to the Police.”