Truck thief jailed

Mathew Masinge

A Chitungwiza man will spend three years in prison for stealing a truck loaded with groceries from Zengeza 2 shops.

The truck contained 72 boxes of 12x2l D’lite cooking oil worth US$$12 370 after the driver, Patson Gwara, had gone into a supermarket leaving the keys in the ignition.

Talent Reid (34) was caught on CCTV and subsequently arrested at his home in Zengeza 5.

Reid pleaded guilty to theft of motor vehicle when he appeared before Harare magistrate Clever Tsikwa, who initially slapped him with a five-year jail term. Two years were suspended subject to good behaviour.

The State proved that on November 18, at around 2.30pm, Gwara got into a retail outlet at Zengeza 2 shops leaving the truck engine running.

When he returned moments later, he saw Reid driving off in his truck. He tried to pursue the vehicle to no avail.

Gwara made a police report and detectives requested CCTV footage from the supermarket, and Reid was identified by members of the public after inquiries.

Police found 14 boxes of 12x2l cooking oil were found in Reid’s house. He led detectives to Zengeza 3 shops where he had left the vehicle parked and loaded with 48 boxes.

Seven more boxes were recovered from Reid’s friend’s house in Zengeza 3.