By Lylie Happiness
Oshakati, August 6, 2023 – A daring young man managed to evade capture after being caught stealing a gas bottle from a shack within the Oneshila informal settlement of Oshakati on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Despite being apprehended by vigilant police officers, the crafty suspect managed to flee while being transported to the police station, taking advantage of a crucial moment when he was not handcuffed.
The incident unfolded when the suspect, whose photo has been released (see below), allegedly slipped into the shack with stealthy precision while the owner was engrossed in a conversation with friends at a neighboring residence. Seizing an opportunity, the suspect left the shack with the stolen gas bottle in tow. Although the shack’s door was closed, it was not secured with a lock, making the task easier for the opportunistic thief.
The shack’s female owner recounted the tense moment, saying, “I was alerted by the telltale sound of the door being opened. I hurried home, only to find the thief making a hasty exit with my gas bottle.” Her quick thinking and outcry attracted the attention of a substantial crowd, effectively impeding the suspect’s escape. The ensuing chaos led to a spontaneous display of “mob justice,” with bystanders taking matters into their own hands.
However, the impromptu retribution came to a halt when community elders intervened, swiftly calling upon law enforcement to restore order. The suspect managed to slip away during the tumultuous situation, capitalizing on the temporary distraction before the police van had fully reached its destination at the police station.- Namibia Daily News
