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A MUTARE man was last week dragged to court for unlawful entry and theft when he broke into a shop and stole cellphones worth $5 179. Tatenda Rukowo (25) of House Number 123, Second Street, Mutare appeared before senior Mutare magistrate, Mrs Sekai Chiundura, pleading guilty to the charges he was facing of unlawful entry into premises as defined in Section 131 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform Act), Chapter 9.23
Rukowo was sentenced to 18 months in jail and six months were wholly suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years. Another three months were suspended on condition that he restitutes the complainant the sum of $2 900.
Prosecuting, Mr Shepard Chavarika said on April 6, Osondu Onuabuchukwu closed his shop at 5pm and went home leaving everything intact.
During the night, Rukowo proceeded to the shop where he opened the shop window from outside.
“Rukowo used a log to break the burglar bars which secured the window thereby creating an opening. He entered the shop through the window and stole cellphones worth $5 179.
“The complainant discovered the offence the following morning at around 6am and reported the matter to Mutare Central Police Station.
“On April 16, the complainant identified his stolen Nokia N8 cellphone displayed by Walter Chigwada for sale at Moto-Moto. Chigwada revealed that he had bought the cellphone from Rukowo.
“The accused was later arrested. A Samsung Tablet, a Samsung Note1 and a Nokia N8 cellphones were also recovered.
“The accused person led the detectives to his place of residence where six cellphones and 13 batteries were recovered. The following day he led police to Moto-Moto where a ZDF tablet was recovered from Fungai Saungweme,” he said.
The value of the recovered phone is $2 980.
Online Reporter