Police warn of thieves targeting women

fake plates.
They usually target women walking to their homes.
Such cases have been rife in Hillside, Braeside, Avondale and Belvedere.
Several people have lost their valuables, cash, cellphones and laptops to the criminals.
Harare provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector James Sabau yesterday said police have put adequate measures to curb such crimes.
“There is a group which is in that practice whereby one of the suspects grabs a handbag from a pedestrian while the car would be in motion,” he said.
“In some of the cases, they hit the victim with the car and when she falls down, they grab handbags and speed off.”
Chief Insp Sabau urged women to be careful, especially when walking alone at night.
“People should also work with the police and supply us with information that would lead to the arrest of these suspects since most of them stay in the society,” he said.
Chief Insp Sabau said some of the people knew the criminals, but do not want to inform the police.
He said cars without registration number plates are being impounded since most of them are used in criminal activities.
Recently, Harare businessman Gary Thompson was hit by a car belonging to three suspected robbers while trying to apprehend them for stealing a bag containing an I-Pad and some cash at a coffee shop in Borrowdale.