Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
TWO men, who allegedly staged a spate of break-ins targeting parked vehicles in Avondale, Marlborough and Mt Pleasant, using a rented car fitted with stolen number plates, have appeared in court.
Ephraim Jonathan Java (43) and Kenneth Chitiyo (43) were not asked to plead when they appeared before Harare magistrate, Ruth Moyo, who remanded them out of custody to July 16.
They were granted US$100 bail each.
The State alleges that between June 19 and July 1, the duo used a black Honda Vezzel, fitted with stolen registration plates AGG 9394, to commit the offences.
It is alleged that on June 22, the pair targeted a Honda Fit parked at Parirenyatwa Hospital and allegedly stole registration plates AGS 8864, which they later mounted on the Honda Vezzel to conceal its identity.
The stolen number plates, valued at US$200, were later recovered.
On the same day, the court heard, they allegedly broke into a vehicle parked at Ridgeway North in Avondale and stole US$533 cash and a 36-inch Sony television valued at a total of US$673.
The State further alleges that on July 1, the accused broke into an MG Extender parked near the Chinese Embassy in Marlborough and stole a Lenovo ThinkPad Core i7 laptop, resulting in a loss of US$1,500.
On the same day, they allegedly smashed the window of a Honda Fit, parked near the Chinese Embassy, and stole a Power Bank, laptop charger and cellphone worth US$1,580.
The court also heard that on June 24, the pair allegedly broke into a Honda Fit parked at Mt Pleasant School and stole a Dell laptop, Bible and personal documents valued at US$2,950. Prosecutors allege that CCTV footage captured the suspects at some of the crime scenes, while witnesses are expected to identify them and the vehicle used.
Investigations also revealed that the Honda Vezzel had allegedly been hired from Palm Car Rental, with police relying on vehicle tracking records to place it at the crime scenes.
The State further alleges that the pair was implicated by Tinashe Martin Java, who had previously been arrested in connection with the sale of the stolen registration plates, during investigations.
Police recovered the Honda Vezzel together with the stolen number plates.
Investigations are ongoing.
