Police in Eastern Province have launched investigations into the forged bank notes amounting to K5,100 that were allegedly deposited into Cavmont Bank in Chipata by a walk-in customer named Nebert Sakala who is currently on the run.

The command has, in the meantime, arrested three people in connection with a break in that occurred at Yunus Suleiman’s downtown shops in Chipata where cash amounting to K108,000 was stolen.

In a statement, outgoing Eastern Province Police Commissioner Alex Chilufya explained that unknown persons broke into Suleiman’s and damaged the safe and stole cash from it.

He added that three of the suspects had been arrested while two were still on the run.

“Breaking into a building with explosives, was reported between 21st January, 2019, around 22:30 hours and 22nd January, 2019 around 05:00 hours, involving a female [called] Yunus Suleiman, the owner of the shop at downtown shops area in Chipata. The report was that unknown persons broke into the shop and damaged the safe box and stole from therein cash money amounting to K108,000=00. Entry and exit was through the back wall after damaging it with unknown explosive materials,” he stated.

“Police have managed to recover some household goods as proceeds of crime, including some cash money. From the arrested suspects, three male suspects have been arrested in connection with the same matter namely: Chris Mbewe, aged 38 years; Edward Phiri, aged 41 years and Chris Banda aged 29 years. Two other suspects escaped, and police have launched investigations.”

And Chilufya stated that investigations and a manhunt had been launched to bring to book the culprit of fake bank notes, saying the police suspected that the fugitive might have quickly left the bank when he realised that bank personnel had become suspicious and started to scrutinise his transaction.

“Possession of forged bank notes (counterfeit currency) was reported on 22nd January, 2019, at 14:00 hours. This occurred on the same day at around 13:00 hours at Cavmont Bank in Chipata District. The report was received from a male named Kalulu Kapalu aged 36 years of Asioloti Compound in Chipata, and also the bank manager at Cavmont also reported on behalf of the bank that a walk-in customer, named Nebert Sakala went to the bank in possession of forged bank notes amounting to K5,100-00. A docket has been opened and an investigation into the matter has been launched. The suspect is still at large,” stated Chilufya.