Zimbabwe Police Reveal How They Arrested Six Armed Robbers Behind US$700K Heist
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has revealed how they managed to nab six armed robbers a mere two days after they stole over US$700,000 from Quest Financial Services in Harare on Sunday.
The six suspects appeared at Harare Magistrates Court for their initial remand on Wednesday.
in the statement, the police also named the suspects as Brighton Chikukwa (28), Silence Matambo (29), Washington Mangwanda (23), Liberty Mukanganise (31), Tafadzwa Richard Marondera (25) and Luke Zinyengere (28).
The sextet got away with US$ 720 676.00, ZAR 10 500.00 and Euro 120.00 cash as well as a 7.65 mm CZ Vzor pistol and three laptops.
Assistance from Mastermind: Police Reveal How They Arrested US$700K Robbers
Acting on a tipoff, detectives from CID Homicide, Harare tracked Brighton Chikukwa to Mbare where he was arrested on Tuesday.
Brighton Chikukwa cooperated with the detectives leading to the arrest of Zacharia Charuwanda who is known by the aliases Zero, Trymore Chimbambo, or Maxwell Kadzembe as well as three people employed by Quest Financial Services.
Investigations revealed that Brighton Chikukwa received US$ 40,000.00 cash as his share. The detectives recovered US$ 25,000 cash and a Ford Ranger D4D vehicle, registration number AGC 6541, which Chikukwa bought for US$ 14 300.00.
Brighton Chikukwa also assisted detectives in arresting Silence Matambo and Washington Mangwanda.
Another Arrest and Recovery
Following the duo’s arrest, US$ 22,000 cash was recovered. Washington Mangwanda was given US$ 25 000 part of which he used to buy a Toyota Aqua vehicle for US$5300. He then gave his mother US$10,000 and US$ 5,000 to his wife for personal use.
Acting on another tipoff, detectives arrested Liberty Mukanganise at Boka Tobacco Auction Floors in Waterfalls. Investigations by the detectives revealed that Liberty Mukanganise was given US$ 23,000 cash. Police recovered US$ 20 560.00 cash, a car radio, a sub-woofer, seat covers valued at US$55.00, 4 x size 15 tyres valued at US$240, car shields valued at US$35 and Mag wheels valued at US$400.
Further Arrests and Revelations
Tafadzwa Richard Marondera and Luke Zinyengere were later arrested in Glenview and led the detectives to the recovery of US$ 50 600.00 cash. Tafadzwa Richard Marondera received US$35 000 for his role in the heist whilst Luke Zinyengere was given US$25 000.00. The detectives recovered a Mark X vehicle, registration number AFR 7059, which Luke Zinyengere had bought for US$1100, an iPhone 14 Pro Max bought for US$ 1 300 and another iPhone 15 Pro Max bought for US$1 500.00.
In concluding their statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police applauded the public for supplying information which helped them arrest the robbers.
