News / National
Tracking system on a cellphone give away armed robbers
24 Sep 2014 at 10:22hrs | Views
A mobile phone stolen during a robbery at a Highlands house gave away the suspects who were arrested a few hours later in the city centre while on their way to Epworth where they intended to share the loot.
The two suspected armed robbers - Kenneth Chiputura (40) and Oswald Zindoga (33) - who live in Epworth, had pounced on Derek Allan Landman's family and friends while celebrating their son's birthday.
They stole five mobile phones and cash, among other valuables.
However, they ran out of luck after one of the phones, which had a tracking system gave them away.
Chiputura and Zindoga yesterday appeared in court before Ms Rekina Dzikiti facing three counts of armed robbery.
They are denying the charges.
Ms Dzikiti remanded them in custody to October 8 for trial and due to the seriousness of the offence, she advised them to approach the High Court for bail.
Prosecutor Mr George Manokore alleged that on September 20, the complainant, Derek Allan Landman, and his family were hosting a birthday party for their son at their Highlands home.
They invited their friends to the party, the court heard.
At around 7pm, Landman and his guests went out for dinner while the accused persons were monitoring their movements from a hideout.
On noticing that everyone had gone out, Chiputura and Zindoga allegedly removed three panels from the precast wall and gained entry into the yard.
The revellers returned from dinner around 9pm and went to the balcony for a cake cutting ceremony.
Armed with a pistol, a crowbar, screwdrivers and a catapult, Chiputura and Zindoga - who were wearing face masks - suddenly pounced on them.
It is alleged they ordered everyone to lie down facing downwards while threatening to shoot anyone who resisted.
Zindoga searched Landman and stole US$400, which was in his pocket, the State alleged.
He then turned to Landman's wife, Magrit, and force-marched her into the house while Chiputura remained on guard.
Zindoga demanded cash and Magrit surrendered US$70 and four mobile phones among other valuables.
Zindoga took her back to the balcony and ordered her to lie down.
The pair also stole another mobile phone from Landman's friend before tying all the revellers with ropes and disappearing from the scene.
When he was satisfied that the pair had gone, Landman rushed to the police where he made a report.
The pair was arrested four hours later around 12 midnight along Fourth Street with their loot while on their way to Ep- worth.
Upon their arrest, the pair misrepresented to the police that they had bought the mobile phones from an unidentified person they had met in town.
The two suspected armed robbers - Kenneth Chiputura (40) and Oswald Zindoga (33) - who live in Epworth, had pounced on Derek Allan Landman's family and friends while celebrating their son's birthday.
They stole five mobile phones and cash, among other valuables.
However, they ran out of luck after one of the phones, which had a tracking system gave them away.
Chiputura and Zindoga yesterday appeared in court before Ms Rekina Dzikiti facing three counts of armed robbery.
They are denying the charges.
Ms Dzikiti remanded them in custody to October 8 for trial and due to the seriousness of the offence, she advised them to approach the High Court for bail.
Prosecutor Mr George Manokore alleged that on September 20, the complainant, Derek Allan Landman, and his family were hosting a birthday party for their son at their Highlands home.
They invited their friends to the party, the court heard.
At around 7pm, Landman and his guests went out for dinner while the accused persons were monitoring their movements from a hideout.
On noticing that everyone had gone out, Chiputura and Zindoga allegedly removed three panels from the precast wall and gained entry into the yard.
Armed with a pistol, a crowbar, screwdrivers and a catapult, Chiputura and Zindoga - who were wearing face masks - suddenly pounced on them.
It is alleged they ordered everyone to lie down facing downwards while threatening to shoot anyone who resisted.
Zindoga searched Landman and stole US$400, which was in his pocket, the State alleged.
He then turned to Landman's wife, Magrit, and force-marched her into the house while Chiputura remained on guard.
Zindoga demanded cash and Magrit surrendered US$70 and four mobile phones among other valuables.
Zindoga took her back to the balcony and ordered her to lie down.
The pair also stole another mobile phone from Landman's friend before tying all the revellers with ropes and disappearing from the scene.
When he was satisfied that the pair had gone, Landman rushed to the police where he made a report.
The pair was arrested four hours later around 12 midnight along Fourth Street with their loot while on their way to Ep- worth.
Upon their arrest, the pair misrepresented to the police that they had bought the mobile phones from an unidentified person they had met in town.
Source - The Herald
