Police in Mangochi have arrested four men on allegations of breaking into a liquor store at Soko Trading Centre and fleeing with assorted liquor worth K2.3 million. Some of the stolen items have been recovered.
The suspects have been identified as Bongani Kachingwe, 26, Vincent Makhiringa, 32, Maxwell Shafi, 20, and Mkwanda Shahid, 22.
On September 8, 2024, the liquor store owner closed the shop at around 1:00 a.m, leaving everything intact. The following day, at around 6:00 p.m., he discovered that the store had been broken into by unknown criminals who stole various items, including K120,000 in cash, a Q10 Bluetooth radio, 25 packs of Kings cigarettes, three bottles of Jack Daniels whiskey, two bottles of Black Label, five bottles of KWV brandy, seven bottles of Malawi gin, and six bottles of Malawi brandy. The total value of the stolen items is estimated at K2.3 million.
The matter was reported to Mangochi Police Station, and a team of detectives quickly responded. Through intelligence gathering, the four suspects were arrested within the township on September 12, 2024.
Police have recovered some of the stolen property, although some of the bottles were found empty.
Investigations are ongoing to recover the remaining items.
The suspects will appear in court to answer charges of breaking into a building and committing a felony, contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code.
Kachingwe hails from Njolomole Village, Traditional Authority Njolomole in Ntcheu; Shahid is from Matchaya Village, Traditional Authority Mlomba in Machinga; while Makhiringa and Shafi are from Mtalimanja Village, Traditional Authority Mapira in Mangochi.
lnspector Amina Tepani Daudi
Public Relations Officer
Mangochi Police Station
Cell:0999-706-525
Email:amina.tepani@police.gov.mw
Website:www.police.gov.mw