News / National
Fugitive armed robbers shot
13 Jun 2015 at 21:45hrs | Views
A CID crack squad shot and injured one of the suspected fugitive armed robbers as he attempted to flee before rounding up his two other equally dangerous counterparts in a massive haul likely to bring to finality at least 10 armed robbery cases reported in Makoni District.
CID declared the three suspects - Chakanetsa Mafondokoto, Tatenda Matambo and Caleb Mutoriti - the most wanted dangerous fugitives from justice a month ago following the arrest of some of their gang members, Obert Matambo, Innocent Chipinduka and Bright Mazambani - as they were selling part of the gang's loot.
The crackdown in Zimunya Township on the outskirts of Mutare brings to six the number of the armed and dangerous gang now behind bars.
The gang led by the trio of Mafondokoto, Matambo and Mutoriti was wanted in connection with brazen armed robberies that hit and transformed Makoni into a terror district.
Detectives recovered two firearms, an FN and Shot Gun tucked in a bed mattress in Mafondokoto's house. The firearms were stolen, together with $6 000 from Tiny Farm.
The three join their juniors in crime, Matambo, Chipinduka and Mazambani — all of UVE Section of Rusape, in remand prison.
Detective Assistant Inspector Gift Mutigwa on Wednesday confirmed the haul and attributed its success to co-operation from members of the public.
He said Mafondokoto was shot on the left knee after fleeing and ignoring warning shots. Mafondokoto is recuperating at Rusape General Hospital under police guard. The three were expected to appear in court this week.
Det Asst Insp Mutigwa said the notorious cheeky armed robbery gang was wanted in connection with a spate of robberies in Makoni.
He said the gang stole an assortment of electronic gadgets at Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa's farm, a few kilometres on the outskirts of Rusape along Nyanga Road. The gang had earlier on pounced at Tiny Farm in Nyazura and escaped with $6 000 and two rifles - which they went on use in the commission of more offences.
Tiny Farm belongs to Zanu-PF provincial executive member, Joseph Mujati. At Dr Parirenyatwa's farm, the suspects stole a Plasma, home theatre and speakers.
"We have finally arrested the ring leaders of the armed gang, Caleb Mutoriti, Chakanetsa Mafondokoto and Tatenda Matambo - who were fugitives from justice.
Mafondokoto was shot below the knee on the left leg after attempting to flee and ignoring warning shots to stop. After apprehending him, we arrested Caleb Mutoriti and then Matambo, who was being hosted by a prostitute in Zimunya.
"The gang was armed and dangerous and was using the two rifles and knives in their criminal operations. Apart from stealing the guns, they also escaped with $6 000, from Tiny Farm. Matambo, was once employed at the farm and led the attack," said Det Asst Insp Mutigwa.
He said the gang targeted and attacked rural businesses and a school. They would fire shots in the air to instil fear and cow their victims into submission. They allegedly attacked Musime General Dealer in Chiendambuya Business Centre where they fired two gun shots in the air. They escaped with $500, spirits, various lagers and an assortment of groceries.
From Chiendambuya they allegedly travelled more than 100 kilometres during the night to Muziti Secondary School where they held the school head hostage.
They demanded food before executing their mission which resulted in $180 being ransacked from the head's house and school safe. They then pounced at the nearby Muziti Primary School and stole $30.
The gang was allegedly using Chapinduka's vehicle to ferry their loot. The crew is suspected to have raided a bottle store at Chiware Business Centre and stole $500, an assortment of groceries, a DVD player, home theatre, airtime worth $100 and some lagers.
They fired two shots in the air again at Buffalo Shop, which belongs to Bishop Chipunza, in Kanoyangwa Village, Nyazura.
"We have recovered a Samusung Plasma TV set, speakers, and an assortment of cell phones from the gang's hideouts in Zimunya. We also want to thank members of the public for volunteering crucial information that led to the arrest of these criminals as well as assisting police in the arresting process," said Det Asst Insp Mutigwa.
CID declared the three suspects - Chakanetsa Mafondokoto, Tatenda Matambo and Caleb Mutoriti - the most wanted dangerous fugitives from justice a month ago following the arrest of some of their gang members, Obert Matambo, Innocent Chipinduka and Bright Mazambani - as they were selling part of the gang's loot.
The crackdown in Zimunya Township on the outskirts of Mutare brings to six the number of the armed and dangerous gang now behind bars.
The gang led by the trio of Mafondokoto, Matambo and Mutoriti was wanted in connection with brazen armed robberies that hit and transformed Makoni into a terror district.
Detectives recovered two firearms, an FN and Shot Gun tucked in a bed mattress in Mafondokoto's house. The firearms were stolen, together with $6 000 from Tiny Farm.
The three join their juniors in crime, Matambo, Chipinduka and Mazambani — all of UVE Section of Rusape, in remand prison.
Detective Assistant Inspector Gift Mutigwa on Wednesday confirmed the haul and attributed its success to co-operation from members of the public.
He said Mafondokoto was shot on the left knee after fleeing and ignoring warning shots. Mafondokoto is recuperating at Rusape General Hospital under police guard. The three were expected to appear in court this week.
Det Asst Insp Mutigwa said the notorious cheeky armed robbery gang was wanted in connection with a spate of robberies in Makoni.
He said the gang stole an assortment of electronic gadgets at Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa's farm, a few kilometres on the outskirts of Rusape along Nyanga Road. The gang had earlier on pounced at Tiny Farm in Nyazura and escaped with $6 000 and two rifles - which they went on use in the commission of more offences.
Tiny Farm belongs to Zanu-PF provincial executive member, Joseph Mujati. At Dr Parirenyatwa's farm, the suspects stole a Plasma, home theatre and speakers.
Mafondokoto was shot below the knee on the left leg after attempting to flee and ignoring warning shots to stop. After apprehending him, we arrested Caleb Mutoriti and then Matambo, who was being hosted by a prostitute in Zimunya.
"The gang was armed and dangerous and was using the two rifles and knives in their criminal operations. Apart from stealing the guns, they also escaped with $6 000, from Tiny Farm. Matambo, was once employed at the farm and led the attack," said Det Asst Insp Mutigwa.
He said the gang targeted and attacked rural businesses and a school. They would fire shots in the air to instil fear and cow their victims into submission. They allegedly attacked Musime General Dealer in Chiendambuya Business Centre where they fired two gun shots in the air. They escaped with $500, spirits, various lagers and an assortment of groceries.
From Chiendambuya they allegedly travelled more than 100 kilometres during the night to Muziti Secondary School where they held the school head hostage.
They demanded food before executing their mission which resulted in $180 being ransacked from the head's house and school safe. They then pounced at the nearby Muziti Primary School and stole $30.
The gang was allegedly using Chapinduka's vehicle to ferry their loot. The crew is suspected to have raided a bottle store at Chiware Business Centre and stole $500, an assortment of groceries, a DVD player, home theatre, airtime worth $100 and some lagers.
They fired two shots in the air again at Buffalo Shop, which belongs to Bishop Chipunza, in Kanoyangwa Village, Nyazura.
"We have recovered a Samusung Plasma TV set, speakers, and an assortment of cell phones from the gang's hideouts in Zimunya. We also want to thank members of the public for volunteering crucial information that led to the arrest of these criminals as well as assisting police in the arresting process," said Det Asst Insp Mutigwa.
Source - manicapost
