The suspects have been identified as Takudzwa Jongwa (21) of 1730 Area D, Westgate, Harare, Rodwell Zvomuya (28) of 1527 Southlea Park, Harare and Mufaro Bezvo of 2769 Southlea Park, Harare.

They were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department’s Vehicle Theft Squad for four cases of theft of motor vehicles. Detective Asst Insp Muteweri said:

As they were on surveillance before pouncing on their target their vehicle got stuck in the mud on an unnamed road in Southlea Park, Harare.

The three accused persons tried in vain to push the vehicle prompting them to engage members of the public to help them push the motor vehicle.

An alert member of the public who was offering assistance to the criminals observed some dangerous weapons inside the motor vehicle and alerted the police.

Immediately, a message was relayed to the CID Crack Team who were on patrol and they swiftly reacted to the information which resulted in the arrest of the three accused persons.

Upon their arrest, detectives conducted some searches in the motor vehicle and recovered an assortment of dangerous weapons including an axe, knives, catapult, bolt cutter, iron and claw bars and also four sets of Honda Fit ignition keys.

She said investigations by the detectives later established that the three were on a mission to commit housebreaking cases within the residential suburb of Southlea Park.

The recovered Honda Fit ignition keys belonged to four vehicles that were on the stolen vehicle list.

Detective Asst Insp Muteweri added that the three then led the police to the recoveries of all the vehicles which they had abandoned in different locations around Harare.

The three are expected to appear in court soon. | The Herald