News / National
Home Affairs employee loses car to bogus police officers
19 Feb 2013 at 05:21hrs | Views
THREE daring robbers masquerading as policemen allegedly robbed a man employed by Masvingo District Registrar's office of his vehicle before leaving him in the bush tied to a tree with a rope, police confirmed.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero said the incident happened last Tuesday at about 8pm.
Insp Zhanero said the suspected robbers, one of them clad in complete police uniform, were still at large and police have since launched a manhunt.
"I can confirm that we received information to the effect that a Masvingo District Registrar employee, Mr Lawrence Mapara lost a government vehicle to a gang of three robbers. The robbers masqueraded as genuine police officers with one putting on a police uniform," said Insp Zhanero.
He said on the fateful day Mr Mapara parked his vehicle at a car park in Runyararo West before going home.
"He parked his vehicle at Church of Christ car park in the same location before going home. He arrived home at about 8pm and after a few minutes of his arrival, three men came to his house. The men were travelling in a white Honda Vitz and on reaching Mr Mapara's house, they asked to see him after knocking and talking to his child," he said.
He said Mr Mapara went to see the trio, who presented themselves as policemen.
"The suspects told the man that his vehicle had its windscreen smashed by youths, who were fighting near the overnight car park. They said they wanted to record a statement from him," said Insp Zhanero.
"He got into their vehicle and they let him sit in between the two suspects who were at the back while the one in uniform was driving the vehicle. Upon reaching the overnight car park, the trio changed goalposts and said the man's vehicle had been used by some people to commit a number of crimes in the area," he said.
Insp Zhanero said the suspects then demanded the car keys after which one of them drove the vehicle out of the car park.
"The robbers took the vehicle together with the complainant and drove towards town saying they wanted to collect some of his accomplices.
From town they surprisingly drove off towards Aminus business centre in Eastvale. They further drove towards Mutimurefu Prison along Mutare road before turning right into a dust road from the highway," he said.
"The suspects drove for a distance before stopping and one of them forced Mr Mapara out of the vehicle. He was then force-marched for about 500 metres. They then tied him to a tree using a rope and left him there," he said.
Mr Mapara managed to free himself and went to a nearby homestead where he asked for a phone and thereafter reported the robbery to the police.
Inspector Zhanero appealed to members of public with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact any nearest police station.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero said the incident happened last Tuesday at about 8pm.
Insp Zhanero said the suspected robbers, one of them clad in complete police uniform, were still at large and police have since launched a manhunt.
"I can confirm that we received information to the effect that a Masvingo District Registrar employee, Mr Lawrence Mapara lost a government vehicle to a gang of three robbers. The robbers masqueraded as genuine police officers with one putting on a police uniform," said Insp Zhanero.
He said on the fateful day Mr Mapara parked his vehicle at a car park in Runyararo West before going home.
"He parked his vehicle at Church of Christ car park in the same location before going home. He arrived home at about 8pm and after a few minutes of his arrival, three men came to his house. The men were travelling in a white Honda Vitz and on reaching Mr Mapara's house, they asked to see him after knocking and talking to his child," he said.
He said Mr Mapara went to see the trio, who presented themselves as policemen.
"The suspects told the man that his vehicle had its windscreen smashed by youths, who were fighting near the overnight car park. They said they wanted to record a statement from him," said Insp Zhanero.
"He got into their vehicle and they let him sit in between the two suspects who were at the back while the one in uniform was driving the vehicle. Upon reaching the overnight car park, the trio changed goalposts and said the man's vehicle had been used by some people to commit a number of crimes in the area," he said.
Insp Zhanero said the suspects then demanded the car keys after which one of them drove the vehicle out of the car park.
"The robbers took the vehicle together with the complainant and drove towards town saying they wanted to collect some of his accomplices.
From town they surprisingly drove off towards Aminus business centre in Eastvale. They further drove towards Mutimurefu Prison along Mutare road before turning right into a dust road from the highway," he said.
"The suspects drove for a distance before stopping and one of them forced Mr Mapara out of the vehicle. He was then force-marched for about 500 metres. They then tied him to a tree using a rope and left him there," he said.
Mr Mapara managed to free himself and went to a nearby homestead where he asked for a phone and thereafter reported the robbery to the police.
Inspector Zhanero appealed to members of public with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact any nearest police station.
Source - TC
