MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-Three suspected serial thieves who terrorised Gweru residents and businesses through a wave of vehicle thefts and break-ins have each been sentenced to 58 months in prison after being convicted on initial charges of unlawful entry and theft.
The trio, Tarisai Danha (35), Benard Phiri (29) and Tinashe Gonde (41) were arrested following investigations that linked them to a string of crimes committed across Gweru between March and May this year, with police recovering stolen property worth more than US$43 000.
Midlands province police Commissioner Martin Matambo said the suspects targeted homes, shops and businesses in suburbs including Mkoba, Mtapa, Mambo, Ascot and Southdowns, as well as the central business district, leaving a trail of losses estimated at US$48 380.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects stole vehicles, mainly Honda Fits, and used them to transport stolen goods from crime scenes to secret hideouts before stripping the vehicles of batteries and radios and dumping them.
“On each and every count, they would first steal a motor vehicle and use it for transport as they moved around breaking into houses, grocery shops and gas shops carrying the loot to their hiding places,” Matambo said.
Their arrest on May 28 led to the recovery of eight Honda Fit vehicles, gas tanks, refrigerators, television sets, solar panels, car batteries, radio speakers, amplifiers, blankets and assorted groceries.
The three appeared in court on June 1 facing four counts of unlawful entry and theft and were each sentenced to 58 months imprisonment.
However, police say the convicted trio will soon return to court to face an additional 20 counts involving motor vehicle theft and unlawful entry and theft offences.
Matambo appealed to members of the public who may have fallen victim to the suspects to visit the Criminal Investigation Department in Gweru to identify some of the recovered property.
He also warned criminals that police detectives remained on high alert and would relentlessly pursue offenders, while urging residents to strengthen security around their homes and businesses.
