Another suspect arrested in Mattegoda vehicle robbery

Another suspect has been arrested in connection with the robbery of a van which took place recently in Mattegoda, Police said.

Police said the suspects had been apprehended by the owner of the house where the robbery was reported to have been planned.

The suspect is a 33-year-old three-wheeler driver residing in Kirigampamunuwa, Mattegoda. He is to be produced before the Kesbewa Magistrate's Court today.

Recently two suspects were shot at by Army guards when attempting to steal a van in Mattegoda on Monday evening. One suspect died in the shooting while the other was admitted to  the Panadura base hospital for treatment.  

It was reported that the owner of the van had lodged a complaint at the Mattegoda Police stating that the van had gone missing and the suspects had fled the area.

Police, however, were able to locate the vehicle and Officers attached to the Anguruwatota Police had managed to track down the stolen vehicle.

When the vehicle had been en-route to Wadduwa, Army personnel stationed at a nearby checkpoint had ordered the vehicle driver to stop. However the suspects had disobeyed the signal and sped ahead.

The Army personnel had then opened fire.