Police in Lilongwe have arrested a 33-year-old man and recovered a pump gun, ammunition and several items allegedly stolen during a robbery at Mbavi-Four Ways near Airwing.
The suspect, identified as Jimmy Banda of Mgona, was arrested early Monday following a joint operation involving officers from the Central West Region, Lilongwe and Lingadzi police formations.
Central Western Region Police Public Relations Officer Foster Benjamin said Banda and other suspects, who remain at large, allegedly raided the home of a 36-year-old accountant after arming themselves with panga knives, an axe and other weapons.
During the attack, the accountant was hacked on the arm while his wife was struck on the cheek.
The robbers allegedly escaped with the couple’s pump gun, three laptops, mobile phones and other property valued at more than K6.7 million.
Police launched a manhunt immediately after receiving the report, which led to Banda’s arrest and the recovery of several items believed to have been stolen during the robbery.
Among the recovered property are a pump gun loaded with 35 rounds of ammunition, three Samsung phones, three laptops, a Bluetooth speaker, a hair straightener set and assorted clothes.
Police also seized six panga knives, an axe, crowbar, hacksaw and pliers, which they suspect were used during the attack.
Banda, who is from Chilasa Village, Traditional Authority Malenga in Ntchisi, has since been charged with robbery. Police say efforts to apprehend his alleged accomplices are continuing.
