News / National
Armed robbers burn loot, trying to blow up safe
07 Aug 2011 at 05:11hrs | Views
Three dumb armed robbers are on the run after their raid on a Norton service station ended fruitlessly when an explosive device they used to blow up a safe burnt the US$4 300 they intended to snatch.
Police have launched a manhunt for the robbers who raided West Bank Service Station at around 2am last Thursday.
The trio confronted a security guard manning the premises and force-marched him to the back of the garage where they tied him up with his shoelaces before assaulting him with a heavy wooden object.
"One of the robbers stood guard while the others forced their way into the manager's office where the safe is kept.
"They then planted an explosive device on the top right corner of the safe deposit box and detonated it to gain access to the money," said Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara.
Empty-handed
He said all the money in the safe, believed to have been US$4 339, was burnt in the explosion, leaving the thieves with no choice but to flee empty-handed.
"The guard later freed himself and alerted the manager who then called the police who attended to the scene.
"Investigations are currently under way, but we have not yet apprehended any suspects," said Asst Insp Mabgweazara.
"We urge the public to be on the lookout for armed robbers, especially at places where cash is kept.
"These places have become targets for armed robbers," he said.
Malvin Chibaya, who resides near the service station, said the loud explosion woke the whole neighbourhood up.
Residents rushed to the scene where they saw a large amount of charred notes. The thieves had left empty-handed.
Robberies of this nature occur regularly in neighbouring South Africa where automated teller machines (ATMs) and safe deposit boxes are blown up with dynamite by daring criminals.
Police have launched a manhunt for the robbers who raided West Bank Service Station at around 2am last Thursday.
The trio confronted a security guard manning the premises and force-marched him to the back of the garage where they tied him up with his shoelaces before assaulting him with a heavy wooden object.
"One of the robbers stood guard while the others forced their way into the manager's office where the safe is kept.
"They then planted an explosive device on the top right corner of the safe deposit box and detonated it to gain access to the money," said Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara.
Empty-handed
He said all the money in the safe, believed to have been US$4 339, was burnt in the explosion, leaving the thieves with no choice but to flee empty-handed.
"Investigations are currently under way, but we have not yet apprehended any suspects," said Asst Insp Mabgweazara.
"We urge the public to be on the lookout for armed robbers, especially at places where cash is kept.
"These places have become targets for armed robbers," he said.
Malvin Chibaya, who resides near the service station, said the loud explosion woke the whole neighbourhood up.
Residents rushed to the scene where they saw a large amount of charred notes. The thieves had left empty-handed.
Robberies of this nature occur regularly in neighbouring South Africa where automated teller machines (ATMs) and safe deposit boxes are blown up with dynamite by daring criminals.
Source - The Sunday Mail
