Caught in the act of attempting to steal Jirama electrical cables in Ampahimanga, Arivonimamo, a man was shot and killed by gendarmes. His alleged accomplices, at least six in number, managed to escape.
Patrols by gendarmes and members of local vigilance committees continue until the early morning in the Itasy region, where thefts of Jirama cables have been on the rise. During one such patrol in Ampahimanga, Arivonimamo, a group of men was caught climbing utility poles to steal cables. The gendarmes opened fire: one suspect was fatally wounded, while at least six others fled the scene.
The guards had spotted several individuals using flashlights. Some were climbing the poles, while others were keeping watch. According to the gendarmes, as the patrol approached, the suspects threatened them with weapons, mistakenly believing they were dealing with local vigilance committee members rather than law enforcement. The officers then returned fire.
“Two poles located at a distance from each other were being climbed while the power had been cut. Some had already reached halfway up when they climbed down, and one of them was hit by a bullet. Local residents did not recognize the man. The community and the municipality took charge of his burial in a mass grave. His description was also broadcast on the radio to locate his family,” local gendarmes stated.
The suspects abandoned their equipment at the base of the poles: sturdy ropes, several cable cutters, wrenches, a hammer, and a large bag.
Surveillance continues in the area, and investigators are expanding their inquiries to identify potential accomplices or masterminds behind these cable thefts.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-01 05:54:06 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/ampahimanga-arivonimamo-un-suspect-de.html