Carjacking gang arrested

POLICE on Christmas Day busted a carjacking and housebreaking syndicate that had caused Nyanga villagers sleepless nights since 2011.

Detectives arrested two of the suspects who led the police to clear a litany of outstanding cases dating back to 2011.

The arrest of the suspected criminals, Tawanda Moyounoziwa (27) and Nomore Hakutangwi (32) of Nyatondo Village under Chief Hata, followed successful patrols held by the police.

On Monday, the duo appeared before provincial magistrate Mr Shingirai Mutiro facing unlawful entry and carjacking charges and was remanded in custody to January 7, 2016.

The court heard that from 2011 to December 25, 2015, Nyanga District experienced a spate of theft of motor vehicles, motor cycles, bicycles, and generators.

The cases were reported to Nyanga Police who battled to arrest the suspects.

Before last week's Christmas celebrations, more than 10 cases of unlawful entry were reported.

This prompted police to intensify operations and on December 25, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department on motorised night patrol covering Nyamhuka One and Two, Rochdale and Bepe Park busted the ring.

At around 2.15am, the patrol team, which was travelling along Nyanga- Nyarumvurwe Road spotted a motorbike parked in the bush.

The team stopped and discovered that Hakutangwi was lying besides the motorbike. When interviewed he gave incoherent statements.

He was taken to Nyanga Police Station with his motorbike for further investigations.

He later confessed to committing several cases of breaking into premises and car theft. He implicated Moyounoziwa as his accomplice.

On December 26, detectives went to Moyounoziwa's homestead where they interviewed him. He admitted to the charges.

The suspects led detectives to the recovery of three motorcycles, three motorcycle engines, bicycle parts, three generators, three mattresses, diamond fencing wire, two welding machines, three laptops, clothes, dinner plates, six cellphones, three inverters, two-plate electric stove and iron sheets.

Investigations revealed that after stealing the mentioned items, the duo stole four vehicles on different occasions to ferry the stolen property. They later abandoned the vehicles.

Mr Anesu Tsikwa prosecuted.

In an unrelated incident, police are on the hunt for a robber who disappeared with a Toyota Raum and $300 belonging to a man residing in Westlea Extension in Mutare.

The incident happened on Christmas Day.

Manicaland police spokesperson Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa confirmed the incident.

He said Shadreck Bvungurume was asleep in his house when a burglar fished out his pair of trousers through an open window.

"In the pair of trousers' pockets were car keys to his white Toyota Raum, Registration Number ADW5880 and $300 cash.

"The burglar then drove off with the vehicle which was parked outside.

"We urge residents to close their windows and lock their doors at night," he said.

Investigations are in progress.