News / National
Serial robber arrested
20 Jul 2017 at 06:42hrs | Views
A SERIAL Bulawayo thief who used explosives to blast open safes and stole $6 000 from business premises in Plumtree and Bulilima districts, has been arrested.
Lesole Butho Msebele (34) of Cowdray Park suburb yesterday appeared before Plumtree magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere facing five counts of unlawful entry and theft.
He was also charged for possessing a prohibited knife and explosives without a permit.
Msebele who pleaded not guilty to all the charges, was remanded in custody to July 24 for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Elisha Mazorodze said Msebele broke into Kings and Queens Funeral Services, Madlambuzi Veterinary Service offices, Kays and Sons Supermarket and Matiwaza Supermarket on different days.
He said after breaking into the premises, Msebele then used explosives to blast open the safes and stole a total of $6 000. On June 20, Msebele allegedly went to Kays and Sons Supermarket in Madlambuzi and broke a window using an unknown object. He then used explosives to blast open a safe and stole $480, the court heard.
Mr Mazorodze said on the same day, the accused went to Matiwaza Supermarket again in Madlambuzi and broke a storeroom window using an unknown object.
"Msebele again used explosives to blast open the safe and stole $570. On 25 June Msebele went back to Kings and Queens Funeral Services offices in Plumtree where he broke open a window to the finance office and gained entry.
"He opened an office drawer and stole $670 and fled from the scene," he said.
On June 9 Msebele allegedly went to Madlambuzi Veterinary Services offices and broke the door. He broke open a cabinet using an unknown object and stole $500 and went away unnoticed.
The prosecutor said Msebele was later back at Kings and Queens Funeral Services offices and broke the door using an unknown object and stole $3 661 from a cash box and went away unnoticed.
Mr Mazorodze said on June 25 at around 5PM, police received information that Msebele who was booked at Omadu Lodge in Plumtree, had explosives in his room.
He said detectives went to the lodge, searched his room and found a prohibited flick knife among his clothes.
Mr Mazorodze said police also recovered explosives in his satchel.
Lesole Butho Msebele (34) of Cowdray Park suburb yesterday appeared before Plumtree magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere facing five counts of unlawful entry and theft.
He was also charged for possessing a prohibited knife and explosives without a permit.
Msebele who pleaded not guilty to all the charges, was remanded in custody to July 24 for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Elisha Mazorodze said Msebele broke into Kings and Queens Funeral Services, Madlambuzi Veterinary Service offices, Kays and Sons Supermarket and Matiwaza Supermarket on different days.
He said after breaking into the premises, Msebele then used explosives to blast open the safes and stole a total of $6 000. On June 20, Msebele allegedly went to Kays and Sons Supermarket in Madlambuzi and broke a window using an unknown object. He then used explosives to blast open a safe and stole $480, the court heard.
Mr Mazorodze said on the same day, the accused went to Matiwaza Supermarket again in Madlambuzi and broke a storeroom window using an unknown object.
"He opened an office drawer and stole $670 and fled from the scene," he said.
On June 9 Msebele allegedly went to Madlambuzi Veterinary Services offices and broke the door. He broke open a cabinet using an unknown object and stole $500 and went away unnoticed.
The prosecutor said Msebele was later back at Kings and Queens Funeral Services offices and broke the door using an unknown object and stole $3 661 from a cash box and went away unnoticed.
Mr Mazorodze said on June 25 at around 5PM, police received information that Msebele who was booked at Omadu Lodge in Plumtree, had explosives in his room.
He said detectives went to the lodge, searched his room and found a prohibited flick knife among his clothes.
Mr Mazorodze said police also recovered explosives in his satchel.
Source - chronicle
