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20 year old burglar breaks into 11 houses
4 hrs ago |
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A 20-year-old Rusape man who embarked on a string of housebreaking incidents across Vengere has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to 11 counts of unlawful entry into premises in aggravating circumstances.
Peter Sanyamahwe of ZBS 2224 Vengere appeared before Rusape magistrate Tendai Mahwe, who convicted and sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, with six months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
This means Sanyamahwe will serve an effective 12-month jail term.
Prosecutor Faith Mutukuwa told the court that Sanyamahwe carried out a series of break-ins between January and May 2026, targeting multiple homes and stealing cellphones, laptops, tablets and cash valued at more than US$4,000.
On May 5, 2026, the court heard, he broke into a home in Garikai suburb and used a hook stick to fish out five cellphones through a window. The following day, the complainant reportedly spotted him attempting to sell the stolen phones at Vengere Musika, leading to his arrest by CID Rusape detectives and the recovery of the devices.
Following his arrest, Sanyamahwe allegedly led police to other crime scenes and confessed to additional offences.
Among the incidents outlined in court were break-ins where he allegedly forced doors, entered through unlocked entrances, and used windows to steal property while victims were asleep.
In one case, he reportedly stole three cellphones from a bedroom after breaking in during the night, while in another he took laptops and tablets after gaining entry through an unlocked door.
In several incidents, some of the stolen items were recovered, while others remain missing.
The court heard that his pattern of offences involved targeting homes at night, often exploiting unsecured doors and windows while residents were asleep.
Magistrate Mahwe said the guilty plea and recovery of some stolen property were taken into account during sentencing.
The case has drawn attention in the community over rising incidents of housebreaking and theft in residential areas of Rusape, with police urging residents to improve home security.
Peter Sanyamahwe of ZBS 2224 Vengere appeared before Rusape magistrate Tendai Mahwe, who convicted and sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, with six months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
This means Sanyamahwe will serve an effective 12-month jail term.
Prosecutor Faith Mutukuwa told the court that Sanyamahwe carried out a series of break-ins between January and May 2026, targeting multiple homes and stealing cellphones, laptops, tablets and cash valued at more than US$4,000.
On May 5, 2026, the court heard, he broke into a home in Garikai suburb and used a hook stick to fish out five cellphones through a window. The following day, the complainant reportedly spotted him attempting to sell the stolen phones at Vengere Musika, leading to his arrest by CID Rusape detectives and the recovery of the devices.
Following his arrest, Sanyamahwe allegedly led police to other crime scenes and confessed to additional offences.
In one case, he reportedly stole three cellphones from a bedroom after breaking in during the night, while in another he took laptops and tablets after gaining entry through an unlocked door.
In several incidents, some of the stolen items were recovered, while others remain missing.
The court heard that his pattern of offences involved targeting homes at night, often exploiting unsecured doors and windows while residents were asleep.
Magistrate Mahwe said the guilty plea and recovery of some stolen property were taken into account during sentencing.
The case has drawn attention in the community over rising incidents of housebreaking and theft in residential areas of Rusape, with police urging residents to improve home security.
Source - BMetro
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