Armed robber shot dead

and recovered two pistols in a swift swoop on a gang believed to have robbed a Karoi supermarket of US$13 600 on Friday last week.
The incident comes barely a week after police detectives shot and killed two other suspected armed robbers who were reportedly targeting taxi drivers in the city centre.
Shepherd Mairosi (28) was shot at a bush near Westgate where he had gone with the police for indications after he tried to run away.
His alleged accomplices, Shepherd (39) and Maxwell (37) Chidawaya and Shepherd Kalambo (36) were arrested in Marondera.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri said allegations against the four were that on May 20 at around 4.45pm the gang went to AfroFood Supermarket in Karoi armed with a knife and pistol.
The gang posed as police officers investigating a case of grain products, it is alleged.
“They demanded to see the depot manager and they were taken to his office where Mairosi produced a weapon ordering the manager to lie down.
“They tied and locked him in his office and went to the guard,” he said.
Spt Phiri said the gang disarmed the guard and ordered him to lead them to the cashier’s office.
The gang also reportedly tied the guard and three other people who were in the cashier’s office.
“They demanded the safe keys and stole US$13 600 which was in two separate boxes. They also took the manager’s cellphone,” he said.
A report was made at Karoi police station where police made road runs along the Harare-Chirundu Highway.
Spt Phiri said the gang was spotted along the road flagging down lifts.
“On seeing the police, they ran away into the bush but in the process dropped one box with US$7 000.
“Since last Friday investigations were on-going,” he said.
Spt Phiri said investigations led the police to Kuwadzana where one of the accused led the police through out Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Mairosi indicated that the two pistols including that of the guard were in a bush near Westgate.
“Whilst there, Mairosi tried to run away and was shot at the back and he died at Parirenyatwa Hospital whilst awaiting treatment,” Spt Phiri said.
Spt Phiri said the other three were still in police custody and might help police clear some pending robbery cases.