US$50 000 car theft

An auto service centre employee who allegedly duplicated keys of a client’s US$50 000 twin-cab before stealing it at a city hotel appeared in court yesterday facing vehicle theft charges.
Lyndon Chironga (44) of 26-9th Road in Warren Park appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Don Ndirowei who remanded him in custody to March 15.
It is the State’s case that on June 23, 2009 Chironga was on duty at a Harare garage and fixed the Mazda BT 50’s central locking system.
Prosecutor Ms Memory Chidavaenzi alleges that Chironga signed the car out on the pretext that it needed to be washed.
It is alleged that he processed duplicate keys and pocketed them.
The complainant collected his car on the same day, the court heard.
On the morning of June 24, it is alleged, the complainant parked his car at the hotel, locked the doors and closed all the windows and left it.
The State says Chironga and his alleged accomplice Costar Mutsvairo, who is still at large, used the duplicate keys to steal the vehicle.
Chironga was arrested on February 24 but the car is yet to be recovered. – CR.