News / Regional
Gang disables CCTV, steals $36,000
06 Jul 2016 at 12:32hrs | Views
ROBBERS allegedly pounced on Barons Motor Spares in Bulawayo and got away with about $36,000 after disabling die shop's closed-circuit television (CCTV) on Sunday night.
The owner of the shop who did not want to be named said he only discovered the burglary on Monday morning.
He said he suspected that it was an inside job as the CCTV and the alarms at the shop were disabled during the elaborate robbery at one of the city's biggest vehicle spares outlets.
"I've no idea who could have done it but surely the burglars had information from someone within the shop. I've 24 employees and with such a number, it's difficult to know who is what, although I've often experienced theft cases from amongst them.
"The occurrence of events shows the robbers were well aware of what they were doing. They had all the information to successfully do a robbery. They removed the digital video camera and took it away to destroy all evidence.
"The alarm was disabled but it showed it was tampered with at around 11PM but didn't send signals to the control room," said the shop owner.
He said the robbers broke a window at the back of the building, cut the burglar bars and went into the shop.
"They took keys which were in one of the offices and headed straight to the office where I keep my safe. The fact that things were found in place in all other offices, shows that the robbers knew exactly where to find the safe.
"They removed the safe and carried it to the room where they had gained entrance and that's where they cut open the safe using a grinder. They went away with a couple of thousands of dollars and the cameras," he said.
The shop owner said he rarely keeps cash at the premises but had collected it for some urgent purchases that he intended to make this week. He declined to disclose the amount that was stolen.
However, a source dose to investigations said about $36,000 was stolen.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Province police spokesperson Inspector Simango said investigations into die break-in were underway.
"I confirm that we received a case of unlawful entry and theft that occurred at Barons Shop. Investigations are in progress," said Insp Simango.
She urged business people to avoid keeping large sums of money at their business premises.
"As police we're appealing to members of the public not to keep large sums of money in their premises. They should deposit the money in banks," said Insp Simango.
She did not disclose the amount of money that was stolen.
The owner of the shop who did not want to be named said he only discovered the burglary on Monday morning.
He said he suspected that it was an inside job as the CCTV and the alarms at the shop were disabled during the elaborate robbery at one of the city's biggest vehicle spares outlets.
"I've no idea who could have done it but surely the burglars had information from someone within the shop. I've 24 employees and with such a number, it's difficult to know who is what, although I've often experienced theft cases from amongst them.
"The occurrence of events shows the robbers were well aware of what they were doing. They had all the information to successfully do a robbery. They removed the digital video camera and took it away to destroy all evidence.
"The alarm was disabled but it showed it was tampered with at around 11PM but didn't send signals to the control room," said the shop owner.
He said the robbers broke a window at the back of the building, cut the burglar bars and went into the shop.
"They took keys which were in one of the offices and headed straight to the office where I keep my safe. The fact that things were found in place in all other offices, shows that the robbers knew exactly where to find the safe.
The shop owner said he rarely keeps cash at the premises but had collected it for some urgent purchases that he intended to make this week. He declined to disclose the amount that was stolen.
However, a source dose to investigations said about $36,000 was stolen.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Province police spokesperson Inspector Simango said investigations into die break-in were underway.
"I confirm that we received a case of unlawful entry and theft that occurred at Barons Shop. Investigations are in progress," said Insp Simango.
She urged business people to avoid keeping large sums of money at their business premises.
"As police we're appealing to members of the public not to keep large sums of money in their premises. They should deposit the money in banks," said Insp Simango.
She did not disclose the amount of money that was stolen.
Source - chronicle
