adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
FIVE armed robbers on Wednesday last week robbed an Engen Fuel Service Station at the corner of Robert Mugabe Way and Simon Mazorodze Street in Masvingo after tying the hands of a security guard and fuel attendant, police have confirmed.
Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said the incident occurred at around 01:40am.
He said the suspects fled the scene after committing the crime and police have since launched a manhunt.
He appealed to members of the public to assist with information that could lead to the suspects’ arrest.
“We have received a report of robbery involving five men which, occurred at Engen Fuel service station in Masvingo City on Wednesday morning,” said Asst Insp Dehwa.
“The suspects allegedly robbed the fuel attendant and security guard of $260 and a phone before blasting a chub safe with explosives and stole $1 300.”
Police said on Tuesday at around 7pm a fuel attendant Mr Tairai Muzhangiri (49) of Mucheke reported for duty together with security guard Mr Catyson Muchanyangwa (36) of the same suburb.
The fuel attendant went into the service station’s office and occasionally came out to attend to motorists who wanted fuel, while the security guard stood guard outside.
Asst Insp Dehwa said at around 01:40am, three men arrived at the service station on foot and found Mr Muchanyangwa standing guard, while Mr Muzhangiri was seated in the office.
The three men, police said, told the security guard that they wanted to buy fuel and he asked them where their car was, but they did not respond.
Two other men then appeared with pistols and ordered the security guard not to make noise while the petrol attendant came out of the office.
The gang allegedly handcuffed Mr Muchanyangwa before tying Mr Muzhangiri’s hands using an electric cable and force-marched the pair back into the office where they were ordered to lie down.
The robbers searched the two men and took away $250 from the fuel attendant, a Samsung phone worth $10 from the security guard.
They tried to open a chub safe which was in the office but failed, forcing them to blast it using explosives.
Police said the robbers allegedly took away $1 300 from the safe and disappeared. A formal report was made at Masvingo police who attended the scene but found the suspects already gone.
Combined value stolen is $1 560 and nothing was recovered.
Online Reporter