Police in Salima have arrested a 45-year-old man, George Joseph Banda, for allegedly breaking into motor vehicles and stealing assorted parts valued at over K7.2 million.
According to Salima Police public relations officer Sub Inspector Rabecca Ndiwate, police identified the stolen items as lenses, side mirrors, coils, and batteries, all worth K7,210,000.
Ndiwate said Banda was arrested around 4 am on Wednesday along Kamuzu Road following a series of reported cases involving theft of motor vehicle parts at Camp Location in the district.
She said the suspect and his accomplice were spotted carrying two laptop bags and a sack containing suspected stolen vehicle parts.
“Upon being questioned on what they were carrying, the two dropped the bags and fled from the scene,” said Ndiwate.
She said police officers managed to arrest Banda while his accomplice escaped.
According to Ndiwate, a search of the abandoned bags led to the recovery of several stolen motor vehicle parts believed to have been stolen from vehicles within the area.
Banda hails from Mwamadi Village in Traditional Authority Mwansambo in Nkhotakota District and currently resides in Machinjiri Township.
Police say the suspect is expected to appear in court soon to answer charges related to breaking and theft, while investigations are continuing to trace and arrest the accomplice.
