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Bulawayo Bureau
Masked burglars blew up safes at Bulawayo’s Bellevue Choppies Supermarket and got away with more than $16 000, R6 700 and P1 500. Sources close to investigations said the robbers used shears to cut through the roof of the outlet on Sunday night. They said a closed circuit television (CCTV) captured the gang as they moved around the shop and set up the explosives.
Security guards at the shop, the sources said, did not notice the thieves blowing up the safes. Workers discovered the robbery on Monday morning as the shop opened for business. “Robbers cut a hole through the roof to gain entry. The shop managers discovered the shop had been robbed in the morning when they came to open for business,” said a source.
The source said the robbers took $16 000, R6 700 and P1 500. Detectives were searching for clues on Monday. Managers declined to comment, referring questions to the director, Mr Siqokoqela Mphoko, who was unreachable. Bulawayo Metropolitan Province police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said investigations into the break-in were underway.
“I confirm that we received a case of unlawful entry and theft that occurred at Bellevue Choppies Supermarket. Investigations are in progress,” said Insp Simango. She urged business people to avoid keeping large sums of money on their premises. Choppies supermarkets in the city have been targets of robbers who gain entry into the outlets by cutting holes through the roofs.
Recently, robbers hit Bulawayo’s Richmond Spar and got away with more than $10 000. Last month robbers pounced on six Bulawayo schools and got away with more than $4 000. In August police arrested three suspected robbers who used grinders to break into premises targeting safes.
Online Reporter