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Crime Reporter

TWO suspected robbers were arrested in Norton after they attacked a 55-year-old man who had disembarked from his car while closing a gate to his house on Saturday.

The robbers overpowered the man before stealing his Toyota Corolla and US$27 and drove off.

A follow up was made by the police, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery the stolen vehicle.

The suspects, Takudzwa Chisambarara (22) and Brian Mupaya (29), are still assisting police with investigations.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest.

“On September, 24, 2022, police in Norton arrested Takudzwa Chisambarara aged 22 and Brian Mupaya aged 29 for a case of robbery in which they robbed a 55-year-old complainant of a Toyota Corolla vehicle, US$27 and a Samsung cellphone in Nharira, Norton.

“The two suspects allegedly attacked the complainant, who had disembarked from his car while closing the gate. They overpowered the complainant and drove off with the car. Police have since recovered the vehicle,” he said.

Armed robbery cases have been on the increase countrywide prompting the police through the Criminal Investigations Department, activating their crack teams.

Last week, a Harare family lost a foreign-registered Toyota Fortuner vehicle and US$56 300 cash to five armed robbers who raided their Mt Pleasant house.

The incident occurred at around 3.30am and no arrests have been made.

Police later recovered the vehicle and two cellphones dumped along Harare Drive.

The case came after police in Harare were also investigating another robbery case that occurred at the intersection of Lomagundi Road and Harare Drive.

A man who was driving a Toyota Hilux vehicle was attacked by two robbers who were armed with a pistol after they had blocked his vehicle with two unidentified cars.

They threatened with the gun before stealing US$14 000 and two cellphones.

Meanwhile on the same day, detectives from CID Homicide reacted to a tip-off and arrested Brendon Gwenzi in connection with a spate of armed robbery cases that occurred between November 2021 and August 2022 in and around Harare.

Gwenzi then implicated Stewart Mabhiza, Cleopas Kandawasvika and Elvis Masuka who were all arrested.

The arrest led to the recovery of a 9 mm Star Pistol and a 12 bore shotgun. The suspects were linked to five cases of armed robbery cases in which the value stolen amounts to US$54 960.

Recently, police in Gwanda also arrested Mncedisi Ndlovu and Mwehluli Sibanda in connection with a case of robbery in which three cellphones and R10 000 cash were stolen from a complainant along Mshabezi River in Moodspruit Village on August 7.

Police in Bulawayo are still also investigating a case of theft of a white Honda Fit vehicle (AFK 0941), which was stolen by unknown suspects last Wednesday at a house in Nketa 7, Bulawayo.

The driver had parked the vehicle and left the doors unlocked with the keys on the ignition port.

Armed robbery cases have been on the increase countrywide with some of the suspects arrested while others are still at large.

Police were also investigating an armed robbery incident which occurred at a trust and women empowerment company at the 6th Floor of Fidelity Building in Bulawayo where two robbers who were armed with pistols attacked complainants and took US$ 6 270 and R5 000 cash. The company is also involved in money transfer.

Another five armed robbers also pounced on CBZ Bank’s Fife Street branch in Bulawayo and got away with US$70 000.

The robbery, which occurred on Tuesday around midday, comes a month after armed robbers raided a Mukuru branch in the city centre and got away with more than US$100 000.