The Minuwangoda Magistrate’s Court has granted permission for police to detain and interrogate until July 20 the suspect who was arrested for allegedly snatching a police officer’s service pistol, shooting and injuring another officer in the Dewamottawa area of Katunayake.

The order was issued when the suspect was produced before the Minuwangoda Court today (16).

Police stated that the suspect had scuffled with a police officer in the Dewamottawa area last evening (15), during which he allegedly seized the officer’s firearm, shot another police officer, and fled the scene on a motorcycle with the stolen weapon.

Following the incident, several police teams launched special operations to arrest the suspect. Officers attached to the Negombo Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau later arrested him in the Divulapitiya area last night.

At the time of the arrest, police found 31 grams of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “Ice”, in his possession.

The stolen police firearm and the motorcycle allegedly used by the suspect to flee were also taken into police custody, officials said.

The arrested suspect has been identified as a 41-year-old resident of Divulapitiya, police said.