Police in Zomba have arrested three notorious criminals who were at large in connection with a spate of robberies in the city of Zomba.

The suspects have been identified as Michael Banda, 42, Patrick Phiri, 38, and Samuel Somanje, 24.

“Banda and Phiri were arrested on 13 March in Lilongwe while Somanje was netted in Zomba on Saturday, 16 March, while he was planning another robbery at Green Acres Lodge.” Sub Inspector Patricia Sipiliano narrated.

Sipiliano added that the suspects allegedly hit a number of lodges in the city, stealing valuable items and cash in their attack.

On the night of 25 February, the three and other five suspects stormed into River Walk Lodge and robbed lodgers of their precious items and cash amounting to K1.6 million.

The gang is alleged to have also hit Victory, Mulunguzi Riverside and Masuku lodges and Dignitas International.

They also ransacked St. Antony Community Day Secondary School.

Police detectives have since been on the ground hunting for the suspected gang.

The manhunt led to the arrest of the suspects in Lilongwe and Zomba and the recovery of some of the stolen property.

The items, among others, include 4 laptop computers, 1 motorcycle, 1 plasma TV screen and 3 smartphones.

Investigations are still underway to arrest the remaining suspects.

Banda comes from Tchona village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Nsamala in Balaka District, Phiri is from Phwandaphwanda village under T/A Nkalo in Chiradzulu District while Somanje hails from Namaraka in the area of T/A Makanjira in Mangochi District.