Bulawayo, (New Ziana) –Police in Bulawayo have arrested a 20-year-old man from Esigodini, Matabeleland South province for attempting to steal a Toyota Hiace ambulance belonging to local funeral services provider, Doves.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the arrest of Sean Ndlovu, from Esikhoveni village in Mawabeni, Esigodini.
Funeral service providers use specialized vehicles called mortuary or dead body ambulances to transport deceased people to their parlours.
Ass Insp Msebele said on January 18 at approximately 9:50 PM, the Doves driver was exiting the funeral home when he noticed the ambulance, parked in the central lot along Josiah Tongogara Street, being reversed into a side parking area.
The employee became suspicious since all other drivers were on duty outside the parlour and the keys for the particular ambulance were missing.
“The driver approached the vehicle and saw an unknown individual inside. The suspect stopped the vehicle, turned off the lights, and locked himself inside,” Msebele said, adding the Doves employee instructed Ndlovu to open the doors, and he complied.
“Upon inspection, the driver discovered that Ndlovu was in possession of a car key that did not belong to the company. The driver promptly reported the incident to the police, leading to Ndlovu’s arrest,” she said.
Ass Insp Msebele said the alertness of the driver led to the recovery of the vehicle before it was driven away from the premises swift apprehension of the suspect.
She urged the public to remain vigilant and take care of their property, emphasizing the importance of community awareness in preventing crime.
New Ziana