Five criminals have been gunned down by police on the Copperbelt during a fire exchange which happened in the outskirts of Kasumbalesa boarder area while they were staging a robbery.
Copperbelt police Chief Peacewell Mweemba who confirmed the incident and said the sixth criminal who was armed with an AK-47 rifle is on the run.
Mr Mweemba said that five are ex-convicts who have been on the police most wanted list for the offences of theft and Aggravated Robberies.
He revealed that the five who are Kitwe residents have been identified as Vincent Mwila, John Mwansa, Kizito Bwalya, Gift Tembo and Gift Mubili
Mr Mweemba said that the incident occurred yesterday at 16:00 hours in the outskirts of Kasumbalesa boarder area.
“Brief facts are that the Anti-Robbery Squad received a tip off from the members of the public to the effect that there was a group of armed criminals who were driving an unregistered Toyota Surf who wanted to stage a Robbery by wanting to steal a Toyota Fortuner Reg number ADE 1001. The officers made a follow up and upon reaching in the out skirts of Chililabombwe area the criminals spotted the officers and identified them,” he said.
Mr Mweemba said in the process there was an exchange of fire between the police and the suspected five criminals were gunned down while the sixth one who is believed to have been armed with an AK 47 riffle managed to run away in the bush.
“A black pistol was later recovered from the five men who were gunned down and the unregistered Toyota Surf has since been recovered and parked at the police station. The five men were later identified by police officers who arrested them previously for various offences,” he said
He also said that the five are ex-convicts who have been on the wanted list for the offences of Theft of motor vehicles and Aggravated Robberies on the Copperbelt province.
Mr Mweemba said the bodies have since been deposited at kakoso hospital Mortuary.