A 40-year-old Pacific Tobacco Company salesman was robbed of US$19,530 in a bold daylight heist at Vengere Musika, Rusape, last Wednesday.
Five unidentified suspects reportedly got into his vehicle and made off with the cash.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing. He said:
“The complainant, Mr Kudzanai Pawananukwa, a salesman with Pacific Tobacco Company, had parked his Toyota GD6 vehicle at Old N Richards Shop, opposite Vengere Musika, around 3:20 pm, while attending to customers behind the vehicle.
“Five unknown men approached the vehicle, which had been left unlocked, and gained entry.
“Once inside, they took a key that had been left on the passenger seat, used it to open a safe in the vehicle, and removed US$19 530 in cash.”
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said Pawananukwa gave chase to the suspects, who had fled in a Toyota Runnex (AFW 6683) along the Harare-Mutare Road. He said:
“The chase continued until the suspects reached the 176-kilometre peg, where they turned off the main road onto a dust track.
“The suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into nearby bushland, evading capture. Pawananukwa immediately reported the incident to ZRP Rusape Central.”
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said investigators have confirmed that the getaway vehicle was recovered and towed to the police station, where it is being held as evidence.
Manica Post