Online Reporter
Moreblessing Ncube
A QUEENSPARK man learned the hard way that crime doesn’t pay, especially when your victim has good running shoes.
Bruce Ngwenya (27) found himself in the dock after pulling a shameless phone snatch that left his neighbour, Boniface Moyo, both fuming and jogging through the streets in pursuit.
The incident occurred on 6 July along Longford Drive. Moyo was minding his own business, casually chatting on his Itel P70 phone outside the Queenspark shops, when Ngwenya appeared like a ninja in sneakers.
Without warning, Ngwenya lunged forward, grabbed the phone right out of Moyo’s hand, and bolted into the night like a seasoned sprinter.
“I couldn’t believe it, he just grabbed my phone and took off!” Moyo told the court.
But instead of freezing in shock, Moyo took off after him, chasing the thief all the way to his house.
Unfortunately, when he caught up, Ngwenya stood his ground and refused to return the stolen phone. Moyo, left with no other option, went straight to the police and filed a report.
Ngwenya was quickly arrested and dragged before Magistrate Maxwell Ncube to answer for his fast-handed crime.
Prosecutor Mehluli Ndlovu told the court that Ngwenya’s stunt left the victim not only phoneless, but also short of breath after his marathon chase.
The phone, worth US$70, was never recovered, and Moyo was left with nothing but sore legs and simmering anger.
Magistrate Ncube fined Ngwenya US$140 for the offence. If he fails to pay, he will trade his running shoes for prison boots and serve six months behind bars.
Moral of the story? If you’re going to steal a phone, don’t live next door to your victim.
