Thelma Wandayi
GWERU: Police have arrested five armed robbers who are linked to a series of robberies in and around Gweru.
Midlands Province police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the arrest and says investigations are still underway.
“We have arrested five suspected armed robbers who were involved in terrorizing motorists along Highway roads in and around Gweru area robbing them of their valuables and vehicles, said Mahoko in a statement.
“The gang would board lifts pretending to be undertaking journeys. After travelling for some distance, they tell the driver to stop. They go on to threaten to kill the driver, brandishing a pistol and knives before forcibly taking away property. The suspects would use the motor vehicles they stole for a day or two, usually for pirating before dumping them”
“Property recovered include seven stolen vehicles which are five Honda Fit models, a Honda CRV, and a Toyota bubble,” Mahoko added.
Arrested suspects have been identified Carlisto Banarbas Sakume (25), Richard Maingehama (41), Tafara Tenson Muzanenhamo (36) Romeo Tinashe Mukwada (31), and Farirai Brandy (43)
The five suspects have since appeared in court and were remanded in custody to December 7 2021 for trial.
The gang is purported to be linked to 21 cases of armed robbery, police say investigations are ongoing are expecting to unravel more cases.
Mahoko urged members of the public who might have information about the cases to report to any nearest police station.
“May members of the public co-operate with us by supplying any information they think will be useful in these cases. You may get in touch with Criminal Investigations Department, Gweru, or any nearest Police Station. The public should desist from boarding private motor vehicles and looking for transport at undesignated places so as not to fall victims to robbers”.
