adminThe suspects were arrested after they fled from a police roadblock on Tuesday, along Matopos Road, abandoning the two stolen vehicles.
Police investigations led to the pair’s arrest on the same day and most of the stolen goods were recovered.
The 26-year-old businessman runs a bottle store in Gwanda while his accomplice aged 24 years lives at Sitezini Village in Esigodini.
The police spokesperson for Bulawayo province, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo, confirmed the arrests yesterday and said police strongly suspected that the two men could have committed more crimes in Bulawayo and surrounding areas.
Sources close to the investigations said the pair kick-started their reported string of crimes by stealing a Mazda 323 sedan in New Lobengula on 3 November.
“The car was parked at a house in New Lobengula and they arrived at the place at night. It is suspected that they pushed it out of the yard before starting it and driving away because the owners only discovered that the vehicle was missing in the morning. The car is valued at $2 000,” said the source.
An employee at Stunts Sports Bar said the thieves broke into the bar on 14 November.
“They stole a Telefunken plasma television set valued at $2 000. They cut the chain that was used to secure the door, before smashing the French door to gain entry,” said the employee.
The employee said a friend from Ritz Bottle Store said the suspects broke into the liquor outlet on 21 November.
“They stole a 40 inch Sony plasma TV, a computer, printer, DStv decoder, a DVD player and some beers and the combined value of the stolen goods is $2 200,” said the employee.
The sources said the pair struck again on 28 November.
“They stole a Toyota Hilux pick up truck from a homestead in Worringham on the outskirts of Bulawayo along the Bulawayo-Gwanda Road. It is suspected that they used the same modus operandi because the owners did not hear them,” said the source.
Another source said the pair’s luck ran out on 29 November when they were stopped by police at around 4am at a road block along Matopos Road.
“They were driving the stolen vehicles. When police approached them, they got out of the cars and fled on foot. They disappeared into a nearby suburb before stunned police officers could give chase,” said the officer.
Police quickly mobilised and launched investigations.
“Within hours, the Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS) had positively identified the 323 and the Hilux. Further investigations led police to a bottle store in Gwanda, where the 26-year-old suspect runs a bottle store.”
He said police recovered the stolen Telefunken plasma TV at the bottle store.
“Further investigations led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of all the other stolen goods except for the printer and beers,” said the officer.
Insp Moyo said the suspects were expected to appear in court soon.
“We cannot release the names of the suspects at the moment because it might jeopardise our investigations,” he said.
Online Reporter