Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
A 38-YEAR-OLD Pumula North man has been arrested in connection with a spate of robberies in Bulawayo’s Douglasdale area after police recovered some of the stolen property from a Honda Fit.
Meluleki Ncube was arrested following investigations into two robberies allegedly committed in the early hours of August 27.
The first robbery occurred at about 1.30am at a house along Douglasdale Road.
The 32-year-old complainant was awakened by unusual noises inside his home and he opened his eyes to see two unknown men standing in his bedroom.
The suspects were armed with a slasher, kitchen knife and machete.
“One of the accused persons manhandled the complainant by the throat, took away cellphone, house keys and locked him inside his bedroom,” Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant
Inspector Thandekile Ndlovu said, confirming the arrest.
The two suspects then allegedly ransacked the house and stole a number of household valuables, including a 5kVA inverter, two 48-volt solar batteries, a Hisense 55-inch smart television, an HP laptop and its charger.
They took a green wheelbarrow from the yard, which they used to ferry the stolen property before dumping it in a bushy area on a nearby plot.
The suspects attempted to break into another property but were disturbed by a worker, forcing them to abandon the wheelbarrow and flee.
Asst Insp Ndlovu said the suspects did not stop there and targeted another complainant at about 3am on the same night at a third plot in Douglasdale.
The second complainant was allegedly robbed of a laptop and a cellphone.
Investigations were launched into the two robberies, leading to Ncube’s arrest.
Police recovered some of the stolen property which had been stashed in a Honda Fit.
“Investigations were made leading to the arrest of the accused person and recovery of some of the property which was stashed in a Honda Fit. He implicated Albert Moyo, a male adult who is still at large,” said Assistant Inspector Ndlovu.
Police are appealing for information that could assist in locating and arresting Moyo.
The use of a suspected receiver to dispose of stolen property has also become a key line of inquiry in the case, after the suspects attempted to sell the stolen goods.
