By Wellington Ruwende
Three suspected armed robbers, believed to be part of a gang that stole over US$100 000 at CBZ University of Zimbabwe branch, were yesterday killed in a shootout with detectives in Chitungwiza.
The trio and an accomplice who is still at large reportedly fired at detectives who had ambushed them. Police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri yesterday confirmed the incident.
He urged members of the gang who are still at large to surrender to the police to avoid further casualties. “These armed robbers can commit crimes and get away with whatever loot, but eventually the long arm of the law will catch up with them.
“Those still at large should hand themselves over to the police to avoid further casualties because we are hunting them,” he said.
The CBZ robbery took place on September 6 this year. The gang reporteddly attacked Brising Security guards who were moving cash with a P38 Pistol and got away with US$101 000.
On November 11, the same gang allegedly robbed Mr Mike Chiyangwa of Dodo Supermarket along Sam Nujoma Street in Harare of US$28 000 after threatening to shoot him with a pistol.
During the raid, Supt Phiri said, the gang dropped the pistol used in the robberies. Police investigations led to the arrest of one of Brising Security’s guards, Julius Pedzisai who is suspected to have connived with the gang.
Brising Security was hired by CBZ to transport cash to its branches. Another suspect, Charles Farai Mabika, was arrested on November 30 in Masvingo.
His arrest led the police to the four armed robbers. The four, who were waylaid by detectives in Chitungwiza, allegedly shot at the police. The detectives returned fire and injured the three robbers who died on admission at Chitungwiza Central Hospital.
Supt Phiri said no policemen were injured in the shootout.
