Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
A 40-YEAR-OLD tobacco salesman was robbed of US$19 530 in a daring daylight heist at Vengere Musika, Rusape last Wednesday when five unidentified suspects allegedly broke into his vehicle and fled with the cash.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the incident and said police investigations are in progress.
“The complainant, Mr Kudzanai Pawananukwa, a salesman with Pacific Tobacco Company, had parked his Toyota GD6 vehicle at Old N Richards Shop, opposite Vengere Musika, around 3:20pm, while attending to customers behind the vehicle. Five unknown men approached the vehicle, which had been left unlocked, and gained entry. Once inside, they took a key that had been left on the passenger seat, used it to open a safe in the vehicle, and removed US$19 530 in cash,” said Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka.
Pawananukwa pursued the suspects, who fled in a Toyota Runnex (AFW 6683), along the Harare-Mutare Road.
“The chase continued until the suspects reached the 176-kilometre peg, where they turned off the main road onto a dust track. The suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into nearby bushland, evading capture. Pawananukwa immediately reported the incident to ZRP Rusape Central,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said investigators confirmed the getaway vehicle was recovered and towed to the police station, where it is being held as an exhibit.
