News / National
Driver accused of luring, robbing women during fake taxi rides
2 hrs ago |
60 Views
A 27-year-old Harare man has appeared in court facing six counts of robbery after allegedly working with accomplices to target women who boarded his vehicle, robbing them of cash, cellphones and other valuables before dumping them along roadsides.
Joshua Ruchiki appeared before Harare Magistrate Ruth Moyo charged with six counts of robbery.
He was remanded in custody pending the completion of police investigations.
The State alleges that between April and May this year, Ruchiki drove a pink Nissan Note, registration number AHG 1836, which was allegedly used to lure unsuspecting female passengers travelling from various parts of Harare.
Prosecutors allege that he acted in common purpose with Kimberly Kumbeze, Tanyaradzwa Nyashinga and another suspect identified only as Given Manhovo, who remains at large.
According to the State, the first incident occurred on April 14 when a woman boarded the vehicle at the corner of Churchill Avenue and Hudson Road in Alexandra Park.
The group allegedly robbed her of a cellphone and a handbag containing US$75 before abandoning her along the way.
In a separate incident on April 28, another woman who boarded the same vehicle along Second Street Extension in Harare's central business district was allegedly robbed of her cellphone and handbag.
Prosecutors further allege that on May 2, another passenger was robbed of two cellphones after boarding the vehicle along Quendon Road in Marlborough.
The alleged robbery spree continued on May 7 when the accused and his alleged accomplices reportedly picked up a passenger along King George Road in Avondale before stealing her Samsung A15 cellphone and dumping her.
On May 20, two more women were allegedly targeted in separate incidents in Avondale and along Harare Drive near KK Tiles.
In one case, the complainant reportedly lost an iPhone XR, while in the other, the group allegedly stole two cellphones, US$330 in cash and other personal belongings.
Police investigations led to Ruchiki's arrest, resulting in the recovery of the Nissan Note allegedly used in the crimes, several handbags and 10 wallets. Some of the recovered property was positively identified by the complainants.
The total value of the stolen property is estimated at approximately US$12,000, with property worth about US$3,000 having been recovered.
The matter remains under investigation, while police continue efforts to locate the outstanding suspect.
Joshua Ruchiki appeared before Harare Magistrate Ruth Moyo charged with six counts of robbery.
He was remanded in custody pending the completion of police investigations.
The State alleges that between April and May this year, Ruchiki drove a pink Nissan Note, registration number AHG 1836, which was allegedly used to lure unsuspecting female passengers travelling from various parts of Harare.
Prosecutors allege that he acted in common purpose with Kimberly Kumbeze, Tanyaradzwa Nyashinga and another suspect identified only as Given Manhovo, who remains at large.
According to the State, the first incident occurred on April 14 when a woman boarded the vehicle at the corner of Churchill Avenue and Hudson Road in Alexandra Park.
The group allegedly robbed her of a cellphone and a handbag containing US$75 before abandoning her along the way.
Prosecutors further allege that on May 2, another passenger was robbed of two cellphones after boarding the vehicle along Quendon Road in Marlborough.
The alleged robbery spree continued on May 7 when the accused and his alleged accomplices reportedly picked up a passenger along King George Road in Avondale before stealing her Samsung A15 cellphone and dumping her.
On May 20, two more women were allegedly targeted in separate incidents in Avondale and along Harare Drive near KK Tiles.
In one case, the complainant reportedly lost an iPhone XR, while in the other, the group allegedly stole two cellphones, US$330 in cash and other personal belongings.
Police investigations led to Ruchiki's arrest, resulting in the recovery of the Nissan Note allegedly used in the crimes, several handbags and 10 wallets. Some of the recovered property was positively identified by the complainants.
The total value of the stolen property is estimated at approximately US$12,000, with property worth about US$3,000 having been recovered.
The matter remains under investigation, while police continue efforts to locate the outstanding suspect.
Source - H-Metro
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
