A woman from Chitungwiza, Monica Muguti, has been linked to two armed robberies after police discovered stolen items at her residence. Muguti, who resides in Unit M, reportedly received the items from her boyfriend, Tawanda Manokore, who is a suspected armed robber.
Following a tip-off, police searched Muguti’s home and uncovered several stolen items hidden in her wardrobe. Among the recovered property were bangles, a beaded necklace, a green hip flask labeled Stanley since 1913, a beaded bracelet, a Guess Waterpro silver and gold watch, a Jeep silver and blue watch, and a pig-shaped gold medal.
The first robbery occurred on October 26 at a residence in Christon Bank. Muguti and three accomplices—Sarezi Shonhiwa, Tafadzwa Chakuteka, and Willye Chirawu—allegedly targeted the complainants as they prepared to sleep.
Disguised as police officers investigating a stolen laptop, the group approached the gardener’s cottage armed with machetes and knives while wearing balaclavas.
When the gardener opened his door, they restrained him with handcuffs and led him to the main house. They then deceived the homeowners, a husband and wife, into opening their door by claiming the gardener had been arrested for theft.
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Once inside, the robbers tied the couple’s hands and legs with shoelaces and threatened to shoot them while demanding cash and valuables.
The robbers stole $160 in cash, $600 from a wallet, six cellphones, a handbag, groceries, a gas tank, and a 9mm Walther pistol with ammunition. They loaded the stolen items into the complainants’ blue Toyota Rav4, which they later abandoned in Mazowe, along with some groceries.
The second robbery took place on November 3 at a farm in Goromonzi. The gang entered the kitchen through an open door while the victims were preparing dinner.
Armed with pistols and machetes, the group tied the complainants’ hands using laptop charger cables and demanded cash.
The robbers led the victims to their bedroom, stealing an iPhone 15 Pro Max, clothing, a Bluetooth speaker, and other personal items. They also took $1,000, an iPhone 13 Pro Max, $2,000 in cash, a speaker, and jewelry from the victims.
After tying the victims’ legs with electric cables, the gang ransacked other parts of the house, stealing groceries and firearms, including a Beretta 12-bore shotgun, a 410 Beretta shotgun, and a pellet gun. The firearms were later discarded.
The entire robbery was recorded on CCTV, and the footage quickly circulated on social media, aiding police investigations.
Shonhiwa was apprehended and implicated Chakuteka as one of his accomplices. Chakuteka led police to his home at Inkomo Barracks, where authorities recovered a 9mm Walther pistol, ammunition, and empty magazines concealed beneath rubble in his chimney.
The firearm matched one stolen during the Christon Bank robbery.
The case continues to highlight the role of stolen property in linking suspects to criminal activities and underscores the importance of vigilance and reporting in solving such crimes.
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