HE CAME TO ZIMBABWE JUST TO STEAL! Foreign thief targets parked cars

B-Metro Reporter

A FOREIGN national who sneaked into Zimbabwe illegally has been nabbed after a spate of car break-ins that rocked Harare.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the arrest of Cassian Pascal Mangombe (45), without stating his country of origin, in connection with three cases of theft from parked vehicles between 18 and 21 August 2025.
The smash-and-grab spree hit Bond Shopping Centre in Mt Pleasant, Greenfields Shopping Centre along Samora Machel Avenue, and Village Walk Shopping Centre in Borrowdale, where three laptops and fuel coupons were stolen.

Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said detectives pounced on the suspect after receiving a tip-off.
“On 22nd August 2025, detectives from CID Theft From Car received information which linked the suspect to the cases. The detectives tracked the suspect leading to his arrest in Msasa, Harare. The arrest led to the recovery of fuel coupons stolen on 19th August 2025 from a parked Toyota Hilux vehicle at Village Walk Shopping Centre, Borrowdale, Harare,” said Comm Nyathi.

Investigations revealed that Mangombe had already shipped the stolen laptops to his home country using a cross-border bus.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police has engaged INTERPOL to facilitate the recovery of the stolen laptops,” Comm Nyathi added.
Police say more details will be released as the net tightens around the suspect’s international theft web.