Police searching for men in Bethanie farm robbery

The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) at Bethanie are looking for three suspects who allegedly tied up a 61-year-old farmer and robbed him of his belongings. NamPol crime investigations coordinator for the ||Kharas Region, Deputy Commissioner Nikodemus Mbango in a crime report issued to Nampa on Sunday said the alleged robbery happened on Saturday around 19h00 at Farm Middledam in the Bethanie district. 'It is alleged that three suspects went to the farm, assaulted the owner, tied him up and demanded his safe keys. They took the keys and opened two safes and stole one rifle. They also took food items, a solar pump and tools,' said the report. The men allegedly took the victim's vehicle which they used as a getaway car. The vehicle, food items and tools were recovered. 'After the suspects left, the victim managed to walk to the neighbouring farm and the neighbours alerted the police. The police lodged an investigation and the vehicle was intercepted while approaching Keetmanshoop, but the suspects ran out of the vehicle. A search was conducted aimed at arresting the suspects but couldn't succeed due to the rocky area,' said the report. Through primary investigation done at the victim's house, police located three different types of shoeprints which approached the house from the back and it is suspected that the suspects removed the solar pump before they entered the house through a window. The 61-year-old victim was taken to the Keetmanshoop State Hospital for treatment. The three unknown men who are yet to be arrested face charges of robbery with aggravated circumstances. The investigation continues. Source: The Namibia Press Agency