Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
A NOTORIOUS armed robber, who was shot and injured by the police as he tried to resist arrest, limped his way into court yesterday to face five counts of armed robberies, including stealing a safe which had US$12 000 from a firm in Harare.
Tinashe Rodgers Magreen (28), and his accomplices − Tapiwanashe Bakasa (30), Tinashe Thompson (30), Tatenda Mashayamombe (29), Peter Mahwite (49), Anymore Gatsi (38) and Wilson Masvosve (35) − appeared before magistrate Tilda Mazhande, who remanded them in custody to next month.
Allegations are that on Thursday last week, the gang broke into CM Chains Company, which is situated at Number 73 Plymouth Road, Southerton, Harare.
They were armed with knives and iron bars and attacked Stuart Maseko, the security guard.
They pushed him down, tied his hands and legs using a wire and stole a small G-Tech cellphone, US$60 and his identity documents.
They broke into the offices and searched for valuables but they failed to get anything of real value and went away.
The following day, they went to number 17002 Sande Crescent, Graniteside, and attacked Abiot Kayanura, a security guard, who was manning the premises.They sprayed the security guard with pepper spray.
They stole his wallet with US$97, his personal identity card and a Huawei cellphone.
The robbers went to the supervisor’s room, where Elliot Mukombiwa stays, within the premises.
They kicked his door open and manhandled him as he tried to take a firearm from the table drawer.
They stole his wallet, containing US$355, and went away.
On the third count, the gang raided AMPS Engineering at number 379 Limpopo Way in Southerton.
They were armed with a pistol, knives and iron bars.
They approached Boas Chitsvaira, a security guard who was in the guardroom, and fired one shot into the air ordering him to lie down.
They used his handcuffs to secure him and also tied his legs with a wire.
One of the robbers guarded him while the others manhandled Mafukeni Masaisai, a second security guard, who was in another guardroom.
They stole a safe, which had US$12 000, a DVR and an HP laptop from the front office and drove away in a company vehicle, which they later dumped in the CBD.
The gang was arrested after a tip-off was made to police. Anesu Chirenje prosecuted.
