The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata
Senior Reporter
TWO suspected teenage carjackers who are believed to be behind a series of vehicle thefts that occurred in Mutare and surrounding areas were recently arrested after they crashed following a high speed chase with kombi drivers who wanted to affect citizens’ arrest.
Mutare District Criminal Investigations Department spokesperson, Detective Sergeant Coleen Mbato confirmed the arrest of Darlington Rugohwo (18) and Takudzwa Nyamana (18), both of OTS in Sakubva.
They are set to appear in court soon facing charges of contravening Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
He said during the night of August 13, Mr Donald Muchabarwa (23) of Zororo in Sakubva parked his motor vehicle, a Toyota Altezza at his house and slept inside.
“A few hours later, it started raining and Mr Muchabarwa woke up and went to sleep inside the house. The following morning, he woke up intending to go to work and discovered that his car had been stolen. A report was made at ZRP Sakubva,” he said.
Investigations carried out showed that there were some tyre marks as well as shoe-prints at the crime scene, suggesting that the vehicle was pushed from the house.
The suspects used unknown means to open the vehicle and started the car before driving it away.
However, the following morning, a driver, Mr Joel Murahwa (33) who drives a kombi belonging to the complainant’s sister received a phone call from another kombi driver advising him that the stolen Altezza vehicle was driving behind him along Mutare-Masvingo Highway.
The stolen car was sandwiched between the two kombis, blocking it.
The suspects tried to get away from the two kombis, but failed until they rammed into the rear right bumper of the kombi in front near Hot Springs roadblock.
After ramming into the bumper, the suspects lost control of the car which hit a sign post and stopped.
Rugohwo and Nyamana got out of the car and started running away.
However, law enforcement agents who were manning the roadblock inquired what had transpired and were told that the Toyota Altezza was stolen from Sakubva.
A chase ensued and the suspects were apprehended about 500m from the roadblock.
