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Crime Reporter

A gang of four suspected burglars operating in and around Chegutu has been arrested in connection with more than 16 cases of housebreaking and theft.

Ishmael White Sinukwe (27) of Norton, Tapera Tembo (39), Tinei Tembo (33) and Passwell Kasiyatema (19), all of Chegutu, were arrested by police detectives in the area.

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) spokesperson Detective Inspector Portia Chinho confirmed the arrests on Tuesday.

“From 1 October 2019 to 10 December 2019, the suspects terrorised Hintonview residents in Chegutu by unlawfully entering into their premises and stealing valuables.

“The suspects would forcibly open locked doors using unknown objects, gain entry and steal property ranging from cellphones to plasma television sets, gas tanks among others,” she said.

In one of the cases early in the morning of November 22, the suspects forced opened a kitchen door and gained entry into one of the houses where they stole a plasma television, cellphones, gas tank and an electric kettle.

Their luck ran out on December 21 when detectives received information on the suspects’ whereabouts.

“The detectives reacted to the information leading to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of various property which included among others five plasma television sets, cellphones, laptops, clothing, gas tanks and a solar panel.

“They managed to clear 16 counts of unlawful entry and theft cases,” Detective Insp Chinho said.

In a related matter, two other suspects were arrested by detectives in Kadoma for an unlawful entry and theft case which occurred at Wiltshire Farm in Patchway. The two are Isaac Edson (22) of Epworth, Harare and Gift Fuzani (45), an unregistered scrap copper dealer at Magaba in Mbare, Harare.

“From June 2019 to November 27, 2019, the duo connived and stole various farming equipment and home electrical gadgets at the farm. The suspects would hire trucks to transport their loot to Magaba open market in Mbare, Harare for sale.

“The stolen farm equipment includes aluminum irrigation pipes, water pumps, electric motors, irrigation sprinklers and kitchen wears,” Detective Insp Chinho said.

Investigations led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of some of the stolen property.

The duo appeared at Kadoma Magistrates Court on December 19 and were remanded in custody to January 6, 2020 for trial.

Police warned members of the public against buying stolen property, saying they risked arrest.