Robbers’ luck runs out after stolen car develops fault while being pursued by police
By Vanessa Mhizha
Four armed robbers were arrested by the police after their getaway ride, which they had hijacked, developed a fault which led to their interception.
The four appeared before Harare magistrate court and were charged with three counts of robbery of motor vehicles and properties valued at US$187,050
Prior to their arrest the four accused persons Alexio Mapamhura 26, kallson Mabhonga 23, Tapiwa Zimbandu 31 and Emmanuel Dillian Matiza together with one Tendayi Ruchiyo who is still at large hatched a plan to rob a business premises at number 1 Collage road, Alex Park, Mt pleasant. Earlier they had hijacked a Subaru and and an Isuzu
The court heard that on 15 February 2022, around 0300hours the accused persons broke into number 1 Collage road, Alex Park, Mt Pleasant were they held hostage Yakim Samson a security guard there with the intention of committing robbery.
They entered the premises while armed with a pistol and iron bars. Prosecutors told the court that at the place of scene the accused grabbed the guard and assaulted him with open hands demanding for office keys. They later tied him on both hands and legs with an electric cable.
Three of the accused went to break into the company offices, forcing themselves through the back, they stole a 55 inch Telefunken plasma Hp desk top, Dstv Decoder from the reception.
It was further alleged that the went into the director’s office where they stole a Mac Book desk top, CCTV DVR and its monitor, safe with US $12,000, went to the showroom where they stole Pylon batteries, 13x 5kw inverters, 2x 7.2kw inverters 26x panel rails, grinder, toolkit.
Lastly they hit another director’s office where they stole a safe with US$ 129 507, company documents, Hp laptop and another US $928 which was in the accountant’s office.
The accused persons later loaded their loot in their gate-away Isuzu and a Subaru motor vehicle and drove away leaving the complainant tied on his hands and legs.
The accused persons then proceeded to Hukuru farm in Ruwa area where they wanted to share the money, but whilst sharing the loot some farm workers spotted them and became suspicious and confronted the accused persons.
The accused persons later dumped the Subaru after realising that the mob had called the police and drove off in the Isuzu vehicle towards Harare Central Business District.
Meanwhile, as they attempted to complete their getaway with the Isuzu, the Isuzu developed a fault making the accused persons to make a run for it, but they could not outpace the mob.
The police arrived and caught up with the three other accused and apprehended them. The fifth suspect is still at large.
The police managed to recover property valued at US$44, 050, the Subaru Legacy which was stolen from the first count of robbery, the Isuzu stolen at the second count and other properties stolen from number 1 Collegan road Mt Pleasant were also recovered.
However, some of the stolen property and the pistol are yet to be recovered.
Robbers’ luck runs out after stolen car develops fault while being pursued by police
