The Police in Soroti District have shot dead a suspected UMEME electricity wires thief while hunt for other missing four continues.
The incident happened on Saturday morning according local police.
SP Oscar Gregg Agecca the Police Spokesperson East Kyoga in a press release notes that the case of theft and vandalism of electricity wires in merok village, merok parish, Katine Sub County, along Soroti Lira Highway was registered under SD REF 02/12/11/2022 of Soroti CPS which prompted police actions.
Agecca says during the intervention by officers to arrest five suspects including now deceased Anyou Samuel a resident in Olano Village, Oculoi Parish, in Oculoi sub-county within Soroti District, the suspects resisted arrest.
“Preliminary findings indicate that on the 12th/11/2022, at about 00:15AM, the matter was reported to Katine police station that there were individuals spotted vandalizing Umeme power/electricity wires. A team of officers were dispatched and on reaching the scene, the officers found five individuals with bundles of wires and assorted items such as cutting implements,” he said.
He added that, “When they realized and noted the officers presence the individuals didn’t heed to the warning to stop and surrender, they instead started flashing very bright lights to disorient the officers and throwing implements at the officers. They then started advancing towards them with intention to hurt and possibly disarm the officers on ground. Because of the forgoing, one of the thieves was shot and put out of action, being cognizant of a record of previous disarming and killing of our officer within Soroti District.”
“We have visited the scene and are currently on the hunt for the other four persons who ran away from the scene. We also recovered exhibits such as ,electricity wires and the other implements,” Agecca added.
“The Uganda Police would like to acknowledge the quick action of the public in informing the police that allowed for the quick response; we thus urge the public to immediately inform the police if and when you notice theft of public infrastructure. We further reiterate our commitment and the redoubling of efforts to ensure the safety of public infrastructure.”