Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, Zimpapers Reporter
AN armed gang of six robbers went on a crime spree breaking into three supermarkets in Cowdray Park in the early hours of Wednesday morning, assaulting security guards and stealing US$1 681, R1 500 and ZWG 560.
The suspects are still at large and police have launched investigations into the break-ins.
Bulawayo police acting spokesperson Assistant Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu said the gang- armed with a pistol, crowbars, axes and a grinder – broke into the first supermarket- TM Pick and Pay- around 1AM on Wednesday morning.
“In the first incident, six accused persons armed with an unidentified pistol, crowbars, axes, and a grinder assaulted the security guard and tied his hands with a cable tie before forcing him to lie down on the ground.
“They damaged the external CCTV (closed circuit television) camera with an iron bar and used a bolt cutter to cut the locks securing the main entrance door of the supermarket,” said Ass. Insp. Ndlovu.
The gang proceeded to an office where a safe is located and attempted to break it.
“They attempted to break open the safe using a pick, grinder, chisel, and hammer but were unsuccessful.”
In the second robbery incident, the gang proceeded to another supermarket located in the same suburb, where they pointed a firearm at a 64-year-old security guard before assaulting him.
“They tied his hands using cable tie and force marched him to join the first security guard that they had assaulted earlier on,” she said.
While the two security guards were bundled together and tied up, the gang attempted to break into a third supermarket.
A third security guard heard the sounds of a working grinder and went to check what was going on and encountered two of the armed robbers who assaulted him.
“They dragged the third security guard to where the two other security guards were being held captive. Two of the accused broke the padlocks securing the main door at the third supermarket and gained entry.
“They located the manager’s office and stole cash amounting to US$1 681, R1 500 and ZWG 560 as well as three bottles of whiskey,” she said.
Police are appealing to members of the public with information that may lead to the arrest of the accused person to report at any nearest police station.
