Police in Chinhoyi are investigating the circumstances surrounding a case of unlawful entry and theft that occurred on Saturday night at a church located along Highway Drive in the Mazari neighbourhood.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said preliminary investigations indicate that unknown suspects gained unauthorised entry into the church offices and then proceeded to break open the church’s safe.
The perpetrators allegedly stole a substantial sum of US$35,000 in cash from the safe.
Evidence collected from the crime scene indicates that the suspects may have used an explosive device to breach the safe.
Investigators recovered a burnt fuse as well as traces of explosive residue at the location.
Police are appealing to members of the public who may have any information related to this incident to come forward and report it at their nearest police station. The ZRP said:
<blockquote>
Police in Chinhoyi are investigating circumstances surrounding a case of unlawful entry and theft which occurred during the night on 06/07/24 at a church along Highway Drive, Mazari. Unknown suspects gained entry into the church offices and broke the safe before stealing US$35,000 cash. A burnt fuse and explosive residue were recovered at the scene.
</blockquote>
In an unrelated case, Police in Chombira are investigating a case of a robbery that also happened on Saturday around 1:20 AM in Kanengoni Village, Chiweshe.
It is alleged that three unidentified male suspects, all wearing face masks, forcibly gained entry into the complainant’s house through a broken window.
The intruders were armed with machetes and proceeded to violently attack the homeowner.
After assaulting the victim, the suspects then ransacked the entire house, searching for valuables.
They stole a significant amount of cash – US$6,500 – as well as 85 kilograms of gold that had been hidden inside a wooden cabinet.
In yet another disturbing incident of unlawful entry and theft, the ZRP said that unknown suspects broke into a supermarket located in the Aspindale area of Marimba, Harare. The break-in occurred around 2 AM on July 1st.
According to the police investigation, the suspects allegedly gained unauthorised access to the supermarket premises by breaking through the roof.
The perpetrators then proceeded to tamper with the CCTV surveillance system, likely in an attempt to cover their tracks.
After disabling the security cameras, the suspects then targeted the supermarket’s safes, successfully breaking into two of them.
The thieves managed to steal US$50,000 in cash from the safes before fleeing the scene.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

US$35 000 Stolen From Church Premises In Chinhoyi

Three Form Six students at Hartzell High School are set to appear in Court on Tuesday, 22 November, following their arrest for allegedly stealing 20 laptops from the school.
Courage Mapiye of Harare, Prosper Munyaradzi Simon of Chikanga Phase Two, Mutare, and Prince Mupaza of Whitecliff in Harare allegedly broke into the school’s computer lab and stole the laptops.
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Manicaland District spokesperson, Detective Sergeant Shake Shanu confirmed the arrest of the three learners.
The three, who are all aged 19, will appear in court after writing their final examinations.
Shanu said on 4 November this year, a security guard at Hartzell High School, Kenneth Mabika commenced duty and carried out some perimeter checks around the premises.
Mabika observed that everything was intact and the windows were closed while the doors were locked. Said Detective Sergeant Shanu:
<blockquote>
There was a power outage when Mabika commenced duty. When power was restored, Mabika carried out some checks and discovered that the computer laboratory door was partially open.
He advised a Computer Science teacher, Mr Agrippa Mungazi, who came and discovered that 20 laptops had been stolen.
A roll call was instantly conducted at the school and the three accused persons were missing. Mabika made a report at ZRP Penhalonga.
</blockquote>
Shanu said detectives from CID Mutare attended the scene the next day and fingerprints were lifted.
Mapiye, Simon and Mupaza were interviewed but denied committing the offence. Added Detective Sergeant Shanu:
<blockquote>
On Sunday, the accused persons were further interviewed and admitted breaking the computer laboratory door lock using a hacksaw and stealing 20 laptops.
They took the laptops to Chikanga and left them in the custody of Paidashe Mukwada.
On the same day, the three accused persons led the detectives to Chikanga where they recovered the 20 laptops and a hacksaw from Mukwada.
</blockquote>
Mapiye, Simon and Mupazawere charged with unlawful entry into premises and theft.
The total value of the stolen laptops is US$5 500 and everything was recovered. | <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/hartzell-students-steal-20-computers/">The Manica Post</a>

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