News / National
Suspected thieves arrested at cemetery
24 Mar 2015 at 11:51hrs | Views
A GANG with a penchant for stealing at Warren Hills Cemetery and along the Harare - Bulawayo road was nabbed on Sunday.
The suspected thieves Kassim Duncan, 37, and Reuben Mutizirwa, 30, believed to be from Mufakose, were arrested after they were spotted breaking into mourners' cars at die final resting place while loading the bot into their getaway Mazda sedan vehicle with a South African registration (NCR758 GP). One is still on the run.
They are currently detained at Warren Park police station where they are assisting police with investigations.
The thieves were spotted by a motorist at Warren Hills Cemetery at their game when a Bluffhill bereaved family was burying its beloved on Sunday.
They were smashing windows and looting goods into their car when they were spotted
Some of the mourners left the burial service m process rushing to attend to their vehicles after reports of the break- ins.
The suspected robbers were spotted by a motorist who was driving towards Mereki shopping centre breaking into a car and he trailed behind them towards Kambu2nma where he alerted police on the road block leading to their arrest
The victim lost her valuables that included a laptop, cash and a cellphone and it is believed that the arrested robbers are the ones behind the hiring of kombis
In a recent press statement, National Police Spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi urged the public in major towns and cities especially in Harare to be on the lookout of criminals who are targeting mourners following similar incidents in Mt Pleasant and GreystonePark.
"Police have received two cases recently of vehicle break-ins with (the perpetrators using) stones and other unknown objects whilst the owners were at a funeral wake and the criminals took the chance to steal valuables that include bags containing various documents, cellphones, laptops and cash,"said Sup Nyathi.
"Members of the public must check the movement of criminals who are targeting mourners and this follows two cases in Mt Pleasant and Greystone Park.
"Police are warning criminals who are targeting unsuspecting mourners at residential areas and grave yards that the long arm of the law with certainly catch up with them.
"Police stepped up surveillance on all funeral gatherings especially on northern suburbs in Harare and members of the public are urged to ensure that at least two or three people are on guard while attending funerals.
"The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is appealing to anyone with information on the criminals' movements to contact any nearest police station or the National Complaints Desk on 04 703 631," said Chief Sup Nyathi.
The suspected thieves Kassim Duncan, 37, and Reuben Mutizirwa, 30, believed to be from Mufakose, were arrested after they were spotted breaking into mourners' cars at die final resting place while loading the bot into their getaway Mazda sedan vehicle with a South African registration (NCR758 GP). One is still on the run.
They are currently detained at Warren Park police station where they are assisting police with investigations.
The thieves were spotted by a motorist at Warren Hills Cemetery at their game when a Bluffhill bereaved family was burying its beloved on Sunday.
They were smashing windows and looting goods into their car when they were spotted
Some of the mourners left the burial service m process rushing to attend to their vehicles after reports of the break- ins.
The suspected robbers were spotted by a motorist who was driving towards Mereki shopping centre breaking into a car and he trailed behind them towards Kambu2nma where he alerted police on the road block leading to their arrest
In a recent press statement, National Police Spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi urged the public in major towns and cities especially in Harare to be on the lookout of criminals who are targeting mourners following similar incidents in Mt Pleasant and GreystonePark.
"Police have received two cases recently of vehicle break-ins with (the perpetrators using) stones and other unknown objects whilst the owners were at a funeral wake and the criminals took the chance to steal valuables that include bags containing various documents, cellphones, laptops and cash,"said Sup Nyathi.
"Members of the public must check the movement of criminals who are targeting mourners and this follows two cases in Mt Pleasant and Greystone Park.
"Police are warning criminals who are targeting unsuspecting mourners at residential areas and grave yards that the long arm of the law with certainly catch up with them.
"Police stepped up surveillance on all funeral gatherings especially on northern suburbs in Harare and members of the public are urged to ensure that at least two or three people are on guard while attending funerals.
"The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is appealing to anyone with information on the criminals' movements to contact any nearest police station or the National Complaints Desk on 04 703 631," said Chief Sup Nyathi.
Source - H-Metro
