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Crime Reporter
A GANG of 10 suspected robbers who were armed with three AK 47 assault rifles and a pistol raided a Bulawayo company before stealing US$7 000 and R18 000.
The suspects first attacked six security guards who were manning the premises.
They then broke into the offices where they stole the cash which was in safes.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects who are still at large.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.
“Police in Bulawayo are appealing for information which may assist in the investigation of a case of robbery which occurred at a business premise in Western Commonage on December 6, 2024.
“Ten suspects armed with three AK 47 rifles and a pistol attacked six security guards who were on duty before gaining entry into the offices where they broke cash safes using grinders. The suspects stole US$7 000 and R18 000 cash. Anyone with information to report at any nearest police station,” he said.
So far this year, more than 650 armed robberies have been recorded in Harare alone, besides murders, thefts and burglaries.
About 106 security guards were also attacked and robbed by criminals during the robberies.
During the same period last year, a total of 466 armed robberies were recorded with 57 on premises manned by security guards.
Zeroing in on robberies carried out without firearms and other weapons, for the whole of last year nationally, police documented 1 073 reported cases as compared to 973 so far this year.
Of these cases, only 31 armed robberies last year hit places where there were security personnel, while this year there were 46 such cases.
Recently, three robbers raided a company in Vainona, Harare, before stealing more than US$36 200 after attacking a security guard who was manning the premises.
The robbers were armed with pistols.
The gang broke into the company offices where they stole US$36 260 cash which was in a safe, two laptops and a Bluetooth speaker.
Police are also investigating a robbery at a house along Cecil Road, Greendale, Harare.
Three armed robbers attacked a family before stealing US$ 12,200 cash, laptops, cellphones and a digital video recorder.
On the same day, police in Harare arrested Bright Chikomo (24) in connection with a robbery at a house in Eastview, Phase 15, Mabvuku where a couple was attacked before US$30 cash, two cellphones and a blanket were stolen.
The suspect was positively identified by the wife during the robbery, leading to his arrest. The arrest led to the recovery of a knife in the suspect’s pocket. The other suspect, only identified as Digital, is on the run.
In October this year, robbers struck at an Ecobank branch in Bulawayo and made off with US$4.4 million in broad daylight.
Online Reporter