News / National
Bulawayo police arrest 2 juveniles over vehicle thefts
2 hrs ago |
72 Views
Bulawayo police have arrested two juveniles aged 14 and 15 in connection with separate vehicle theft cases involving stolen cars taken from parking areas in Entumbane and Emakhandeni suburbs.
Police said the juveniles allegedly used duplicate keys and a pair of scissors to start the vehicles before driving them into the city centre.
One of the stolen vehicles was later involved in a road accident, while the second was intercepted by an off-duty police officer who became suspicious after noticing reckless driving.
The juveniles are below the legal age required to possess driver's licences.
According to police spokesperson Nomalanga Msebele, the first incident occurred on 12 May 2026 following a collision at the corner of First Avenue and Josiah Tongogara Street.
"Upon interviews police discovered that the other driver was a minor who had stolen the vehicle at a car park in Entumbane suburb," said Insp Msebele.
Police said the vehicle belonged to a 34-year-old woman who had parked it earlier in the evening.
"At around 8PM, the juvenile, accompanied by two boys aged eight and five years old, used duplicate keys to start the vehicle and drove into the city centre," she said.
Investigations later revealed that the juvenile had allegedly been working with an uncle identified only as Benson from Emganwini suburb to steal vehicles from Zothile car park in Entumbane and use them for pirate taxi operations at night before returning them in the morning.
In a separate incident on 30 April 2026, an off-duty police officer boarded a Honda Fit near Old Renkini Bus Terminus along Luveve Road and became suspicious after observing reckless driving.
"After a short distance, the officer noticed that the driver was driving recklessly. He introduced himself as a police officer and asked the juvenile to produce a driver's licence," Insp Msebele said.
The teenager allegedly failed to produce a licence and was instructed to stop the vehicle.
Police later discovered that the car had been stolen from a parking area in Emakhandeni suburb and belonged to a 57-year-old man who had been searching for it.
"The juvenile had used a pair of scissors to start the motor vehicle and drive off into the Bulawayo city centre," she said.
Police have expressed concern over a rise in vehicle thefts, particularly involving Honda Fit models, and urged motorists to install additional anti-theft devices.
Insp Msebele also appealed to parents not to expose children to criminal behaviour or unsafe driving practices at an early age.
Police said the juveniles allegedly used duplicate keys and a pair of scissors to start the vehicles before driving them into the city centre.
One of the stolen vehicles was later involved in a road accident, while the second was intercepted by an off-duty police officer who became suspicious after noticing reckless driving.
The juveniles are below the legal age required to possess driver's licences.
According to police spokesperson Nomalanga Msebele, the first incident occurred on 12 May 2026 following a collision at the corner of First Avenue and Josiah Tongogara Street.
"Upon interviews police discovered that the other driver was a minor who had stolen the vehicle at a car park in Entumbane suburb," said Insp Msebele.
Police said the vehicle belonged to a 34-year-old woman who had parked it earlier in the evening.
"At around 8PM, the juvenile, accompanied by two boys aged eight and five years old, used duplicate keys to start the vehicle and drove into the city centre," she said.
Investigations later revealed that the juvenile had allegedly been working with an uncle identified only as Benson from Emganwini suburb to steal vehicles from Zothile car park in Entumbane and use them for pirate taxi operations at night before returning them in the morning.
In a separate incident on 30 April 2026, an off-duty police officer boarded a Honda Fit near Old Renkini Bus Terminus along Luveve Road and became suspicious after observing reckless driving.
"After a short distance, the officer noticed that the driver was driving recklessly. He introduced himself as a police officer and asked the juvenile to produce a driver's licence," Insp Msebele said.
The teenager allegedly failed to produce a licence and was instructed to stop the vehicle.
Police later discovered that the car had been stolen from a parking area in Emakhandeni suburb and belonged to a 57-year-old man who had been searching for it.
"The juvenile had used a pair of scissors to start the motor vehicle and drive off into the Bulawayo city centre," she said.
Police have expressed concern over a rise in vehicle thefts, particularly involving Honda Fit models, and urged motorists to install additional anti-theft devices.
Insp Msebele also appealed to parents not to expose children to criminal behaviour or unsafe driving practices at an early age.
Source - The Chronicle
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
