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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
A suspected robber who pounced at World Class Motors and Benoisen Motors and handcuffed the security guard at gunpoint before stealing property and cash yesterday appeared in court.
Owen Petros (38) of Chiota Street Rugare, Harare, appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Milton Serima charged with robbery.
He was remanded in custody to September 24 and Mr Serima advised him to apply for bail at the High Court.
However, Petros, who was struggling to walk, raised complaints against the police.
He submitted that he was severely assaulted by police officers who sought to induce him to confess to the offence.
Prosecutor Ms Sharon Mashavira alleged that on May 9 this year Petros connived with Chrispen Panganai and Benjamin Matabwa, who have already appeared in court, to steal from World Class Motors.
It is alleged that they scaled the pre-cast wall to gain entry into the premises and threatened to shoot the security guard, George Zisengwe.
They allegedly handcuffed Zisengwe and tied him with a wire before stealing his Nokia cellphone.
They proceeded to the offices where they forced open the doors before stealing a 32-inch plasma television set, a Toshiba laptop and two cellphones from the reception drawers.
They forced open another door to an office, grabbed the safe keys from a drawer and stole US$5 000.
The accused left after loading their loot into a World Class Motors’ vehicle, a white Toyota Corolla registration number ACT5263.
It is alleged that on July 17, the trio ambushed Benoisen Motors and forced open office doors before making off with a 32-inch plasma television set.
Following a tip-off, detectives managed to arrest Panganai and Matabwa, who implicated Petros.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter