Armed robbery: Police fighting a losing battle

Armed robbers continue to wreak havoc by invading businesses and homes and making away with large sums of cash.

Despite the police having intensified their visibility amongst crime hot spots in and around Gaborone, armed robbers continue to rob businesses of large sums of money and in some instances getting away without a trace.

Not even the recent killing of armed robbers by the police and other agents in Phase 2 has made criminals to back off, as rather they continue to terrorise businesses.

Recently, Botswana Police Service confirmed there was an influx of weapons of war into the country something that has petrified citizenry.

Experiences from victims show that when they attack businesses, the criminals come prepared to shoot whoever could be a barrier when committing criminal acts. In fact, when making a hit on businesses they start by firing shots upon entry to impose fear on workers.

The perpetrators are adamant about their mission to rob businesses as cases are reported frequently and there is no doubt how dangerous they are because they are always ready to use firearms to take what they want, as well as, defend their lives and what they have acquired. Moreover, these firearms could be used on ordinary people or the police.

On Thursday evening at around 7pm when Trans Cash and Carry in Tlokweng was about to close for the day, four armed men entered the shop and demanded money. Officer commanding, Senior Superintendent Theriso Thatayotlhe said when the incident happened they had officers on patrol in the neighbourhood and they responded timeously.

“The police responded on time and the armed robbers started exchanging fire with the police resulting in one suspect being killed while the other three fled the crime scene. We believe that one of the three who fled the crime scene got injured in the shootout because we noticed that there were bloodstains leading to where they had parked their getaway car,” he explained.

Thatayotlhe added the deceased was found in possession of a bag containing more than P11, 000 suspected to be part of the loot. He stated that investigations are ongoing to locate and arrest the suspects who are still at large.

He further pleaded with members of the community to help them with any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects who fled the scene.

Thatayotlhe also warned Batswana against crowding crime scenes because they inhibit the police from doing their job, as well as, risking their lives, especially when there is an exchange of fire.