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2 in court over US$108,000 armed robbery
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Two Harare men accused of being part of a gang behind a series of armed robberies appeared in court facing three counts, including the alleged theft of US$108,000 from a company in Ruwa.
Tinei Makaripe, 47, and Pungurai Mukambachaza, 49, are accused of committing the robberies with accomplices who are still at large.
Makaripe, who was allegedly apprehended at the scene of the latest robbery after being struck by a brick while fleeing, limped into court and was later carried inside by fellow suspects.
The State alleges that on September 13, the two men and their accomplices targeted Chinese national Zhan Lingyue at Xinda Castings in Ruwa.
The gang was allegedly armed with pistols and scaled a precast wall before entering a changing room, where they allegedly put on company work suits and helmets in an attempt to disguise themselves as employees.
They allegedly intercepted two workers who were returning from the toilet and forced them to lead the way to the company offices.
Upon entering the offices, the gang allegedly confronted Lingyue and demanded money before ransacking the premises and stealing a satchel containing US$108,000.
The suspects allegedly used a metal ladder to scale the wall as they escaped.
Workers who had been alerted to the robbery reportedly gave chase and threw stones at the fleeing suspects.
The State alleges that Makaripe was running behind his accomplices when he was struck by a brick and fell to the ground, allowing workers to apprehend him as the others escaped.
Police investigations subsequently led to Mukambachaza's arrest, with detectives allegedly recovering US$4,900 from his home.
The State further alleges that the pair were involved in an attempted robbery at Kurima Centre in Msasa on September 12, a day before the Ruwa incident.
The gang allegedly arrived at the premises armed with a pistol, iron bars, machetes and a bolt cutter before scaling the perimeter wall.
Two security guards reportedly spotted the suspects and fired warning shots, but the gang allegedly proceeded to break into several offices.
They fled empty-handed after a Safeguard reaction team arrived at the scene.
Makaripe and Mukambachaza are also being linked to an armed robbery at Redan Service Station in Glen View on June 22.
The allegations are yet to be tested in court, and the suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Tinei Makaripe, 47, and Pungurai Mukambachaza, 49, are accused of committing the robberies with accomplices who are still at large.
Makaripe, who was allegedly apprehended at the scene of the latest robbery after being struck by a brick while fleeing, limped into court and was later carried inside by fellow suspects.
The State alleges that on September 13, the two men and their accomplices targeted Chinese national Zhan Lingyue at Xinda Castings in Ruwa.
The gang was allegedly armed with pistols and scaled a precast wall before entering a changing room, where they allegedly put on company work suits and helmets in an attempt to disguise themselves as employees.
They allegedly intercepted two workers who were returning from the toilet and forced them to lead the way to the company offices.
Upon entering the offices, the gang allegedly confronted Lingyue and demanded money before ransacking the premises and stealing a satchel containing US$108,000.
The suspects allegedly used a metal ladder to scale the wall as they escaped.
The State alleges that Makaripe was running behind his accomplices when he was struck by a brick and fell to the ground, allowing workers to apprehend him as the others escaped.
Police investigations subsequently led to Mukambachaza's arrest, with detectives allegedly recovering US$4,900 from his home.
The State further alleges that the pair were involved in an attempted robbery at Kurima Centre in Msasa on September 12, a day before the Ruwa incident.
The gang allegedly arrived at the premises armed with a pistol, iron bars, machetes and a bolt cutter before scaling the perimeter wall.
Two security guards reportedly spotted the suspects and fired warning shots, but the gang allegedly proceeded to break into several offices.
They fled empty-handed after a Safeguard reaction team arrived at the scene.
Makaripe and Mukambachaza are also being linked to an armed robbery at Redan Service Station in Glen View on June 22.
The allegations are yet to be tested in court, and the suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Source - H-Metro
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