Robbery Gone Wrong: Gang Hides Stolen $129K in Garden and Wardrobe

A gang of armed robbers accused of stealing US$129,000 from Meru Service Station last week allegedly hid their loot in various places, including a garden and a wardrobe, while one suspect used some of the money to buy household items such as a 48-inch TV, a kitchen unit, and groceries.

Details of the robbery emerged after six suspects—Willard Chinorukwa, Enerst Manzunzu, Borniface Masora, Simbarashe Vheremu, Munyaradzi Gurure, and Mike Matumba—appeared in court over the weekend. One of them was shot in the leg while attempting to escape from the police in Chitungwiza.

According to court proceedings, the gang conspired to rob Meru Service Station and armed themselves with a 9mm Star pistol and machetes. Using a silver Nissan AD Van (registration ADP 9724), they targeted the station’s cashier, Hillary Hufa, who was collecting cash from the company’s Mbare, Kuwadzana, and Whitehouse branches.

As Hufa was leaving the Kuwadzana branch, the gang confronted and disarmed Fawcett Security guard Zindoga Jiri before threatening Hufa and forcing him to surrender a satchel containing US$129,111. They then fled the scene in their getaway vehicle.

On Thursday, CID Homicide detectives received a tip-off about Chinorukwa’s involvement and tracked him to his home in Chitungwiza’s Unit O. When he attempted to escape, police shot him in the leg before recovering US$7,760 hidden in his garden.

Chinorukwa later led detectives to Manzunzu’s house in Norton, where US$7,500 was found in a bedroom. The remaining suspects were arrested the same day.

Police recovered US$1,980 from Masora, which had been stashed in a wardrobe, along with a 48-inch TV, a kitchen unit, utensils, buckets, a cellphone, and groceries bought using the stolen cash. Vheremu was found with US$3,000, Gurure had US$1,260, and Matumba was arrested with US$1,900.

The suspects were remanded in custody as investigations continue.

ALSO READ : Scottland Making Waves in Debut Premiership Season