Robbery gang nabbed

Chemwanda (35), Portia Makunde (21), Johnson Chisinabadza (29) and Brian Nyathi (27) — were driving to Harare after the robberies in Chinhoyi.
Another suspected gang member, Tafadzwa Chomo, escaped and is still at large.

Acting Mashonaland West police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ian Kohwera confirmed the incident.
He said police were investigating the crimes while they had since launched a manhunt for Chomo.
Asst Insp Kohwera, said the gang, travelling in a green Toyota Gaia, offered a lift to Pardon Mupungwani at Karoi Bus Stop in Chinhoyi.

Mupungwani was travelling to Karoi.

However, at Doma turn-off, Asst Insp Kohwera said the driver turned left into the Lomagundi College Road and the gang started assaulting him before he was stripped naked.
“They took his clothes, an overhaul gasket set of a Mitsubishi tipper truck and US$35 before throwing him out of the vehicle and drove towards Chinhoyi leaving him stranded,” he said.

In Chinhoyi, the gang picked three passengers who intended to go to Harare and on reaching Hunyani Farm turn-off they turned left before assaulting and stripping them naked.
He said the group returned to Chinhoyi.

“They picked up Richard Loti who wanted to go to Chegutu. When they got to the Golden Kopje turn-off they turned right along Zumbara Road.”
Asst Insp Kohwera said the gang robbed Loti of his laptop and cellphones before driving back to Chinhoyi.
The attack victims, he said, reported the matter to the Chinhoyi Central Police Station where teams from CID were dispatched.

“We alerted our patrol teams including those at Nyabira tollgate who within 45 minutes intercepted the robbers,” he said.
Police recovered 18 cellphones, a              laptop and various goods worth over US$3 000.
The injured were taken to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital for treatment.
Asst Insp Kohwera urged commuters to use public transport when travelling.