News / National
'Armed robbers' flee in handcuffs
27 Mar 2014 at 05:04hrs | Views
TWO suspected armed robbers escaped from police cells while in handcuffs before they were re-arrested following a failed attempt to rob Bikita's Nan-Jiang Diamond Mine.
The suspected robbers only managed to flee with a pair of handcuffs and communication radios belonging to two security guards at the mine, which were however, recovered.
Lazarus Birima, 33, and Francis Ruzariro, 28, both from Mutare, pleaded not guilty to robbery charges when they appeared before Masvingo magistrate Rosemary Mazulu yesterday.
Prosecutors say the duo were part of a seven-member gang that raided the diamond mine sometime in August last year with the intention of looting the precious gems.
For the State, Moreblessing Rusere told how the seven suspects, five of them still at large, proceeded to the diamond mine with the intention of robbing security guards manning the premises but failed to locate where the precious minerals were kept.
The court heard that on arrival, the suspects pointed guns at the security guards before manhandling and tying them up using plastic bands.
The gang then proceeded to the mine offices where they stripped the workshop in search of the diamonds but failed to locate them.
The suspects fled from the scene but not before getting away with a pair of handcuffs and communication radios from the security guards.
The court further heard that one of the security guards managed to note the registration number of a Toyota Hilux truck used as a get-away car.
A report was made to the police who launched a manhunt leading to Ruzariro and Birima's arrest in Mutare. The pair allegedly escaped from police custody while in handcuffs but was arrested the same day after police received a tip off from members of the public.
The Toyota Hilux vehicle was found parked at one of their homes.
Police also recovered 30 rounds of ammunition from the pair and pieces of plastic bands used in tying up the security guards at the mine.
The ammunition and plastic bands were brought to court as exhibits.
The trial continues tomorrow.
The suspected robbers only managed to flee with a pair of handcuffs and communication radios belonging to two security guards at the mine, which were however, recovered.
Lazarus Birima, 33, and Francis Ruzariro, 28, both from Mutare, pleaded not guilty to robbery charges when they appeared before Masvingo magistrate Rosemary Mazulu yesterday.
Prosecutors say the duo were part of a seven-member gang that raided the diamond mine sometime in August last year with the intention of looting the precious gems.
For the State, Moreblessing Rusere told how the seven suspects, five of them still at large, proceeded to the diamond mine with the intention of robbing security guards manning the premises but failed to locate where the precious minerals were kept.
The court heard that on arrival, the suspects pointed guns at the security guards before manhandling and tying them up using plastic bands.
The gang then proceeded to the mine offices where they stripped the workshop in search of the diamonds but failed to locate them.
The suspects fled from the scene but not before getting away with a pair of handcuffs and communication radios from the security guards.
The court further heard that one of the security guards managed to note the registration number of a Toyota Hilux truck used as a get-away car.
A report was made to the police who launched a manhunt leading to Ruzariro and Birima's arrest in Mutare. The pair allegedly escaped from police custody while in handcuffs but was arrested the same day after police received a tip off from members of the public.
The Toyota Hilux vehicle was found parked at one of their homes.
Police also recovered 30 rounds of ammunition from the pair and pieces of plastic bands used in tying up the security guards at the mine.
The ammunition and plastic bands were brought to court as exhibits.
The trial continues tomorrow.
Source - chronicle
