POLICE have arrested 11 suspected armed robbers linked to a spate of robberies committed between April 2021 and this month in and around Karoi, Mashonaland West province .
Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi identified the suspects as Gift Asafu (29), Goodness Gandiwa (36), Kudakwashe Kapesa (24), Taurai Musindo (23), Tapera Zimbapeni (22), Onias Matangi (47), Evans Milanzi (24), Jimmy Dzokamushure (49), Addition Chagadama (22), Jeremy Nyakura (27) and Nicholas Samuel (22).
The suspects are linked to nine robberies and one unlawful entry which occurred at Energy Park Service Station in Karoi where they got off with US$51 000 and a VW Golf vehicle from the manager at gunpoint.
“On 7 September 2022, police acted on a tip-off and tracked one of the suspects Gift Asafu, who was linked to several cases of robbery in Karoi. Police interviewed the suspect who implicated 11 other suspects including Charles Phiri who is still at large,” partly read the police statement.
“The suspects are now linked to nine robbery cases and one unlawful entry into premises and a theft case. Some of the cases include a robbery which occurred at Energy Park Service Station, Karoi on 28 December 2021 at around 2100 hours where they robbed the manager of US$51 000 and a VW Golf vehicle at gunpoint and another robbery where they attacked three security guards who were on duty at Brockley Farm, Karoi before stealing various agricultural inputs and 17,5 tonnes of soyabeans all valued at US$80 000, among others.”
The Zimbabwe Republic Police said they had launched a manhunt for the outstanding suspect Charles Phiri.
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