Police officer arrested over robbery

A police officer has been arrested on allegations that he participated in a robbery that occurred in Masindi District last week.

Armed with rifles, a group of criminals raided Budongo Sub County in Masindi District on Thursday night and robbed businessmen operating betting machines.

Locals mobilized themselves to counter the robbers and reportedly arrested one person who has since been handed over to police, witnesses said.
The suspect who was driving the pick-up is detained at Masindi Police station.

A pick-up truck that was used by the robbers in transporting the stolen betting machines was intercepted and impounded by police. Six machines have since been recovered and they are at Masindi Police station.

The suspected robbers allegedly used a Premio to escape from the scene, security officers have said.

Officer held
A Police officer is among the three suspects who have been arrested in connection with the incident, a security source told this reporter.

The Albertine Regional police spokesperson Mr Julius Hakiza confirmed the arrest but added that investigators had not yet obtained incriminating evidence against him.

“He is a suspect who is helping us in the investigations. He and another suspect have been transferred to Kampala for further interrogation” Hakiza said.

During interrogation, the police officer who is attached to the Field force unit (FFU) denied the accusations labeled against him, detectives said.

However, detectives are analysing his telephone communications to establish whether he had conversations with suspects who were arrested in connection with the robbery.

Another Police officer who is wanted has reportedly fled from his work station, a security source told this reporter.

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