Police re-arrest ex-convict suspected of housebreaking

An ex-convict was on Friday suspected to have broken into the house of Karonga Police officer-in-charge by forcing the rear door open and stealing various items including a television set worth K613 000.

The officer in-charge Brenant Chitanda says he was asleep at the time and did not notice anything.

Northern Region Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya yesterday confirmed the incident, but said the suspect, Steve Msukwa, 28, was re-arrested in connection with the break-in.

He said the suspect had just been released from prison where he served a six-year jail term for burglary and theft.

Kalaya also said police have recovered the stolen items.

He said officers raided Msukwa’s house following a tip-off from some community members. Besides finding Chitanda’s property, the officers also recovered other items stolen from other houses where the suspect is also believed to have broken into.

“Since he was released from Mzuzu Prison on November 28 2018, there have been a series of break-ins connected to the suspect. After a tip-off, police conducted a special operation that led to his arrest and recovery of the items,” said Kalaya.

Msukwa, from Mwachilanga Village, Traditional Authority Kyungu in the district, will answer a charge of burglary and theft.