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Community forces armed gang to abandon loot

Community forces armed gang to abandon loot

Zim Now Writer

A gang of six armed robbers fled, abandoning their loot in the process when the community around Gotora Clinic in Hwedza reacted swiftly while they were stealing solar panels from the health centre.

The community  made a police report, enabling the law enforcement agency to intercept the gang 10km from the crime scene where one of the gang members was arrested and their getaway car was seized.

The other five, however, escaped.

The gang went to Gotora Clinic armed with machetes, knives and logs, and overpowered a security guard, Tinashe Moyo, who was on duty at the clinic.

They tied his hands and legs using shoelaces before they went to the solar panel stand armed with bolt cutters and removed the panel. They then went into a room and stole a laptop and a cell phone from an expecting mother.

The gang was disturbed while trying to open the cage where the batteries for the panels are safeguarded.

As the community members approached, the gang immediately abandoned the 12 solar panels they had dismounted and sped off in their getaway car.

After seizing the getaway car, police managed to recover the stolen cell phone and laptop.

Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi praised the community for their prompt and effective action.

“Allow me to thank the Gotora community for being so united. They have shown the good effects of good community policing initiatives by coming out in their numbers after hearing the unusual sound from the clinic.

“We appeal to anyone with information which may lead to the arrest of the five suspects on the run to approach CID Marondera or any nearest police station,” Insp Chazovachiyi said.

Another gang of five suspects, armed with a pistol, attacked two farmers from Hwedza and stole 15 bales of tobacco.

It is alleged that Tron and Taurai Karembo had a tyre puncture while transporting tobacco to Marondera Sales Floors when they were approached by the five robbers who were in a Nissan Atlas truck.

One robber drew a pistol and pointed it at Taurai and ordered the two to sit on the ground while the rest of the gang loaded all the 15 bales onto their Nissan Atlas truck.

The gang then robbed the two of US$90, cell phones, national identity cards as well as bank cards before driving off.

Insp Chazovachiyi appealed for information which may lead to the arrest of the gang members.

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