Driver bolts with household goods, abandons stolen car in maize field

A MAN employed as a driver for an Egyptian national is on the run after stealing assorted house hold goods and a motor vehicle valued at K90,000 which he abandoned after it got stuck in a maize field.

Copperbelt Police Commissioner Peacewell Mweemba confirmed the incident and identified the driver as Philip Sikaonga of unknown address in Mindolo Township of Kitwe.

Mr Mweemba said Police in Kitwe have since launched a manhunt for Sikaonga for theft of motor vehicle, a Noah valued at K90, 000 and assorted household goods.

Mr Mweemba said the incident happened on Sunday around 02:40 hours in Nkana East area and that the police managed to recover the motor vehicle after it got stuck in a maize field.

He said Reda Elshar, an Egyptian national reported that his Motor vehicle a Toyota Noah registration number ACP 5398 white in colour valued at K90, 000 was stolen whilst parked in his yard by his driver

Philip Sikaonga of unknown address in Mindolo Township who was in company of an unknown person.

Mr Mweemba said the suspect also stole a 32 inch Escco television set valued at K5,000, a two plates stove at K3,000 and a pair of curtains for K2,300 all valued at K100, 300.

‘’Brief facts were that on Saturday around 23:30 hours, the victim had secured the house and the vehicle parked in the yard while the keys were left on the table in the living room. The following day around 02:40 hours , he heard some noise outside and when he woke up he saw his driver who he had only worked with for a few days tempering with the car and as he tried to come out the car drove off towards Zambia compound.

“He decided to report the matter to the police at Esther Lungu police post and immediately anti robbery officers who were on patrol were contacted and a follow up was made in the direction of Zambia compound where the vehicle was recovered in Mwaiseni area where it got stuck in a maize field, “Mr Mweemba said.

Mr Mweemba said police visited the scene of crime and observed that entry was gained by jumping over the wall fence and the suspect forced himself through the living room window open and pulled the keys which were on the table using an unknown object.