Police arrest Chicken Inn, Mukuru armed robbers

Zim Now Writer

Bulawayo police last week arrested two suspected armed robbers believed to have been behind a series of crimes, including robbing a Mukuru outlet, two Simbisa retail outlets, and multiple residences in Zimbabwe’s second city between March and September.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of Lenny Ryan Mupande, 21, from Gweru and Bezel Chirova, 21, from Njube suburb in Bulawayo while a third suspect, Ishmael Chipanga, is still at large.

Police have since launched a manhunt to locate him.

According to Asst Comm Nyathi, the arrests are linked to an attempted robbery at a Chicken Inn Drive-through in Bulawayo on March 19.

The suspects tried to access the safe but abandoned the attempt when a vehicle arrived on the scene. Subsequently, they targeted an unidentified Chicken Inn outlet in the city centre on April 29, stealing US$6 604.

They raided Athens Supermarket in Hillside suburb in June, during which a neighbourhood surveillance team pursued them after the break-in. Following a high-speed chase, the driver of the suspects’ Honda Fit lost control and the vehicle to end up in a ditch.

The suspects then fled on foot.

The suspects went underground for about two months, resurfacing when the struck a family in Entumbane in September, making off with US$1 850.

In the same month, they robbed a Mukuru outlet in Entumbane, taking R13 390.

They also conducted multiple robberies in shopping centres in Pumula, stealing various sums from individuals. Victims lost amounts such as US$5, US$12, and US$447, while the suspects also robbed a shop in Khumalo suburb of US$990.

Police urged the public to provide information that could lead to the arrest of the third suspect, adding that individuals and companies not to carry large sums of money on their person.