FIVE armed robbers pounced on a service station in Kwekwe on Sunday before getting away with US$799 and groceries.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko yesterday confirmed the robbery which occurred at PetroTrade at around 1am.
He said police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects.
“It is alleged that Enos Nyarenda (65) and Johnson Maura (56), who are employed at the service station as security guards, were on duty when they were approached by five unknown men armed with a pistol,” Mahoko said.
“Maura was manhandled by one of the gang members, while the other four forcibly entered the guardroom. They assaulted the guards before tying their hands and legs.”
Mahoko said as one of the suspects watched over the security guards, the other four went to the offices, where they forcibly opened the main entrance door before blasting an immovable safe and taking away $799.
He said the gang went on to steal various groceries and a movable safe from the service station kiosk.
The total value of the items stolen is US$1 081 and nothing was recovered.
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In a separate incident that occurred in Mbizo 4, Kwekwe, on Saturday last week, three unknown men robbed a 26-year-old man of more than US$700.
“It is alleged that Kudakwashe Chuchu was sleeping in his room when he was awakened by a banging noise on his door,” Mahoko said.
“Upon peeping through the window, he saw three suspects wearing black woolen hats and sunglasses armed with machetes.
“The suspects used the machetes to break the window and door. They demanded cash from the complainant and he [Chuchu] took US$730 from his wardrobe and gave them.”
Mahoko said after the robbery, the gang disappeared into the night.
