Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
TWO robbers armed with pistols attacked Knars Service Station in Marondera on Monday night and went away with US$964, cellphones and a .303 rifle.
ZRP Mashonaland East provincial spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi confirmed the incident in a statement.
He said the incident occurred around 9pm.
The robbers, who were covering their faces with hats, he said pounced on four Knar Service Station employees who were seated in the control room and a security guard who was outside doing his duties.
The robbers immediately pointed a pistol at the guard and ordered him to surrender his .303 rifle and he complied.
“One of the suspects proceeded inside the control room where the service station employees were seated, while another one remained outside, keeping a closer eye on the disarmed security guard,” Insp Chazovachiyi said.
“While inside the room, it is alleged that the suspect ordered all four employees to lie down and also to surrender all their precious belongings.”
“They surrendered their cellphones before the suspect force-marched the Service Station manager to another room containing the safe.
“He ordered the manager to open the safe and to surrender the US$964 which was inside.”
The manager reportedly complied. Inspector Chazovachiyi said the suspect, who had remained outside, forced-marched the security guard into the room where the other four employees were and ordered him to lie down.
The suspects, he said, then closed the office doors and fled from the scene.
“After a while, the complainants went to Dombotombo Police Station and reported the matter,” he said.
“Searches were made around the scene, leading to the recovery of the stolen 303 rifle, dumped about 30 metres from the scene. The two live rounds were not recovered. Investigations are in progress.”
Meanwhile, cellphones stolen from the complainants were reportedly recovered the next day, dumped near a railway line in Marondera.
