Police seize car believed bought with stolen cash

Police have seized a vehicle from Paul Chinomona, who is suspected of participating in the Milton Park robbery that saw US$59,000 stolen in cash. Chinomona appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa but was not asked to plead. Authorities believe the recovered car was purchased using the proceeds of the crime.

According to court documents, the incident occurred last week when complainant Ismail Kassim was driving out of his premises and noticed his security guard being pushed out of the guardroom. Chinomona and his accomplices allegedly confronted Kassim, pointing an unidentified pistol and rifle at him, switched off his vehicle, and ordered him to disembark.

The robbers reportedly tied up Kassim and the security guard and forced them to lie face down in an empty swimming pool behind the house. They stole an FN Brownian pistol with four live rounds from the security guard before entering Kassim's house, leaving one accomplice on guard.

Once inside, the robbers ransacked the rooms and stole US$59,000, which had been kept in a lunch bag in Kassim's bedroom. They also took Kassim's car, which was later abandoned and recovered along Bishop Gaul Avenue.

Chinomona was arrested following a tip-off, and police recovered the vehicle believed to have been bought using the stolen funds. Investigations are ongoing as the case proceeds through the courts.