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Lodge owner losses US$8 000, car to armed robbers
3 hrs ago |
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A lodge owner in Bulawayo's Famona suburb lost more than US$8 000 and a vehicle after two armed robbers allegedly posed as overnight guests before attacking the family at gunpoint.
According to Zimbabwe Republic Police, the incident occurred on Monday after one of the suspects contacted the 39-year-old businesswoman through WhatsApp claiming he was looking for accommodation at her bed-and-breakfast lodge.
Bulawayo police deputy spokesperson Thandekile Ndlovu said the suspect requested directions to the lodge before arriving about an hour later accompanied by another man.
Once inside the premises, the two men allegedly produced pistols and threatened to shoot the complainant while demanding cash.
"The suspect asked for the location of the lodge and an hour later he arrived with an accomplice. Once inside they pulled out pistols and threatened to shoot her, demanded cash and she handed over US$400," said Assistant Inspector Ndlovu.
During the robbery, the complainant's uncle reportedly arrived at the property and was also confronted by the armed men.
Police said the robbers demanded cash from him before taking his wallet containing US$180 and keys to a Toyota Hiace vehicle.
The situation escalated further when the suspects allegedly switched on an iron and threatened to burn one of the children and shoot another in front of their mother if more money was not surrendered.
Fearing for the safety of the children, the complainant reportedly handed over an additional US$7 680 kept in her bedroom.
The assailants later fled the scene in the stolen Toyota Hiace.
Police described one of the suspects as tall, slim and dark-complexioned, while the second suspect is said to be of medium build.
Assistant Inspector Ndlovu urged members of the public not to keep large amounts of cash at home and appealed for information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
"We urge members of the public not to keep large sums of money at home but to bank it to avoid such incidents. We also appeal to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the accused persons to report at any nearest police station," she said.
According to Zimbabwe Republic Police, the incident occurred on Monday after one of the suspects contacted the 39-year-old businesswoman through WhatsApp claiming he was looking for accommodation at her bed-and-breakfast lodge.
Bulawayo police deputy spokesperson Thandekile Ndlovu said the suspect requested directions to the lodge before arriving about an hour later accompanied by another man.
Once inside the premises, the two men allegedly produced pistols and threatened to shoot the complainant while demanding cash.
"The suspect asked for the location of the lodge and an hour later he arrived with an accomplice. Once inside they pulled out pistols and threatened to shoot her, demanded cash and she handed over US$400," said Assistant Inspector Ndlovu.
During the robbery, the complainant's uncle reportedly arrived at the property and was also confronted by the armed men.
The situation escalated further when the suspects allegedly switched on an iron and threatened to burn one of the children and shoot another in front of their mother if more money was not surrendered.
Fearing for the safety of the children, the complainant reportedly handed over an additional US$7 680 kept in her bedroom.
The assailants later fled the scene in the stolen Toyota Hiace.
Police described one of the suspects as tall, slim and dark-complexioned, while the second suspect is said to be of medium build.
Assistant Inspector Ndlovu urged members of the public not to keep large amounts of cash at home and appealed for information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.
"We urge members of the public not to keep large sums of money at home but to bank it to avoid such incidents. We also appeal to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the accused persons to report at any nearest police station," she said.
Source - The Chronicle
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