Madagascar: A man tries to rob a church

A robber pointed his gun at a pastor during a worship service in Tsianaloka, Toliara. He fled when the worshipers started screaming. The police quickly arrested him.

Unprecedented. A criminal tried to rob the pastor and followers of a sect on Saturday in Tsianaloka, in the city of Toliara. He was carrying a gun loaded with two cartridges.

According to information provided by the National Police, the man in his thirties forcibly entered a house serving as a church.

“In fact, the place is not exactly a religious building like the others. The pastor and his supporters are still planning to build one, but for now, they gather and pray in a house in Tsianaloka,” said a civilian source.

“Apparently, the man randomly chose his target. He did not realize beforehand that the people he was attacking are members of a sect. He reportedly also planned to attack a nearby cash point,” she added.

Captured

Once inside with the group praying and praising, the man drew his firearm and approached the pastor. He aimed his pistol at him demanding anything of value. He operated with his face uncovered. However, no one recognizes him. While he was busy threatening his prey, others called for help. This made him flee.

He did not have time to take anything. The police intervention forces arrived in no time. With the community police, they captured the fugitive in the neighborhood street. The weapon was taken into possession. He also had some talismans on him. They were all sealed. No shots were fired neither during the robbery nor during the arrest.

“The man is currently in custody at the central police station. He has accomplices who fled as soon as the intervention team arrived,” said a police officer. The regional public security department of Atsimo-Andrefana has redoubled efforts to eradicate crime in its jurisdiction. Cash point attacks, some followed by murder, have shaken the province in recent days.

Hajatiana Léonard