Chronicle Editor
Peter Matika, [email protected]
POLICE in Bulawayo have arrested two suspects from Binga in connection with armed robberies in Hope Fountain on the outskirts of Bulawayo last week.
A third suspect remains on the run, and police are appealing for assistance to apprehend him.
According to police, the duo used pellet guns and an Okapi knife during the robberies.
The suspects, identified as Billiat Mumpande (20) of Sinamagonde Village and his 16-year-old accomplice, both from Binga, are now in custody pending further investigation.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube, said they are holding the two for robberies in Hope Fountain on October 17 and 18.
During the robberies, Mumpande, the 16-year-old, and the suspect on the run identified as Tedious Dube, escaped with cash and items valued at about US$1 132.
“On 17 October at around 6pm, the complainant, a male adult aged 48 of Hope Fountain, was at his workplace when he was approached by the accused persons who pretended to inquire about some goods.
“Mumpande and the juvenile were armed with pellet guns, and Dube, who is still at large, was armed with an Okapi knife,” said Insp Ncube.
He said Mumpande and the juvenile immediately drew their pellet guns and pointed them at the complainant, threatening to shoot him.
Insp Ncube said Dube also produced his Okapi knife, threatening to stab the complainant if he made any form of resistance.
“The accused persons then force-marched the complainant into his room where they ordered him to sit down. They searched his pockets and took his US$413 cash, which was in his pair of trousers pocket, and his Huawei cellphone,” said Insp Ncube.
He said the trio went on to ransack the complainant’s room looking for valuables and also made off with a solar panel before locking him up in the room.
The following day, the trio continued their tirade and went on to raid a shop in the same area.
“At around 6.30am, the complainant, a female adult aged 28, opened the shop for the day’s business at her workplace. While she was in the shop, the owner of the shop came to do a stock-take. After some minutes, a customer also entered the shop intending to buy bread,” said Insp Ncube.
He said while the three were in the shop, the three accused entered pretending to be customers.
“One of the accused persons tendered US$3 and asked the shopkeeper to serve them with a loaf of bread and 2 litres of coke. The shopkeeper then told them that their money was not enough, and that is when Dube jumped over the shop counter and threatened to stab the shopkeeper while demanding money,” Insp Ncube said.
Dube is alleged to have searched the shop shelves and took US$430, US$60 from a plastic container, a bottle of Viceroy Brandy, four cans of 100ml Mayfair ciders, one 750ml Cape Real bottle of cane spirit, before snatching the shopkeeper’s Itel phone, as well as the shop owner’s phone.
“The accused persons went on to smack the customer on her forehead and forcibly took her Samsung Galaxy cellphone before fleeing from the scene,” said Insp Ncube.
He said a report was made, leading to investigations that led police to the trio’s hideout in a bushy area.
“A swift reaction led to the arrest of Billiat Mumpande and the juvenile at their hideout. Police recovered a black bag with a pellet gun case, a black and red satchel, a black and white Fabian jacket which the juvenile was wearing during the commission of the offences, and a solar panel stolen from the first complainant,” said Insp Ncube.
He said only US$10 was recovered from the duo.
“Police appreciate the level of participation in the fight against crime by members of the public which led to the arrest of the accused persons. We also appeal to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the remaining accused person who is still at large to report at any nearest police station,” said Insp Ncube.
Online Reporter