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Crime Reporter
A 26-year-old Karoi man who was in the habit of breaking into people’s houses after they had gone to church has been sentenced to 18-months in prison.
Charles Phiri (26) of Chiedza in Karoi was arrested after he had bought a car using some of the cash he had stolen.
He appeared before the Karoi Magistrates’ Court facing charges of unlawful entry. On September 15, 2024, the complainant, Sheilla Tungadza (49) left her house unattended after closing all the windows and locking the doors and went to church.
Phiri then broke into the house using a wheel spanner and ransacked the house.
He took a grey jacket which contained US$5 000 that was hidden under the bed. Phiri also took US$90 which was in a lunch box that was on top of the bed.
The complainant returned from church and discovered the break-in and reported the issue to the police.
Two days later, Phiri bought a car in Harare after being assisted by his friend since he did not have a national identity card.
He was arrested on October 3 following a tip-off and the vehicle was recovered. The total value stolen was US$5 090 and only goods worth US$3 200 were recovered.
Phiri was initially sentenced to 24 months imprisonment of which six months were suspended for five years.
He will serve an effective 18 months in prison.
Online Reporter