Three weeks after a deadly robbery in Antsirabe, five suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention.
Five suspects were remanded in custody on Friday, July 17, in Antsirabe, following their appearance before the public prosecutor. They are suspected of participating in an armed attack that claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy, the son of a beverage wholesaler. The mother was also injured. This judicial decision follows an in-depth investigation conducted by the Regional Judicial Police Service (SRPJ) of Vakinankaratra.
The tragedy occurred on June 29 in Tsivatrinikamo. Two individuals arrived on a motorcycle and entered the merchant’s courtyard as she was returning home. Refusing to hand over her money, the woman was shot. Her son, who was studying for his BEPC exams and had just stepped out to feed the dog, was also hit. Transported to the hospital, he passed away shortly after admission.
The bandits stole 55 million ariary. However, 67.23 million ariary, which remained in the victim’s car, were recovered and returned by the police.
Investigations revealed that the criminals had attempted an initial attack on June 25 but abandoned it due to the presence of witnesses. They then prepared a second operation, recruited other accomplices, and neutralized surveillance cameras by cutting the power the day before the crime.
Police were able to identify the motorcycle used by one of the perpetrators, which allowed them to track down the other members of the group. The five suspects were subsequently arrested and placed in pre-trial detention.
The head of the Tsivatrinikamo fokontany, Richard Rakotofiringa, believes the attack was carefully planned. He noted that the family had been targeted for a long time. During Pentecost 2025, criminals on scooters had stolen money entrusted to an employee. On June 25, the wholesaler’s car tires were punctured with nails. On several occasions, strangers on motorcycles had followed her. About ten days before the attack, the mother had even been chased by car by individuals who eventually gave up. This time, the robbers opened fire without hesitation.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-20 06:12:28 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/antsirabe-la-police-arrete-cinq.html