Four gunshot wounds – a hideout – a trail of of blood stains – a US$122k heist

WHEN Shereni Manase, a suspected armed robber linked to a US$108,000 heist in Ruwa, found a hideout to nurse four gunshot wounds sustained after being shot at by police, he probably felt he was SAFE.

After all, the 32-year-old might have been feeling that luck was on his side.

After all, twice he had escaped, within a space of two days after being cornered, with the first escape coming at the company, which his gang raided, and where they stole US$108,000.

The second escape came when police tracked him to his parents’ home, where he was shot four times, but managed to escape from law enforcement authorities.

However, his luck finally ran out when he was arrested at a hideout, in Seke, where he was nursing the four gunshot wounds.

Yesterday, Manase appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court. He appeared alongside another suspected armed robber, William Sanyanga, before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.

They were facing armed robbery and attempted murder allegations.

They were remanded in custody pending finalisation of investigations.

They were advised to approach the High Court for bail considerations.

Lawrence Gangarahwe prosecuted.

The State alleges that Manase was part of a gang which targeted Xinda Castings in Ruwa on September 13, where the robbers allegedly scaled a precast wall, while armed with pistols.

Once inside the premises, the gang allegedly entered a changing room and put on company work suits and helmets to disguise themselves as employees.

It is alleged that they then captured two workers, who had gone to the toilet, and force-marched them to the offices.

The gang allegedly broke into an office, demanded cash and ransacked the premises before escaping with a satchel containing US$108,000.

Their escape, however, was allegedly disrupted when other workers raised the alarm and began throwing stones at them as they attempted to scale the perimeter wall using a metal ladder.

One of the suspected robbers, who was running behind the others, was struck with a brick, fell to the ground and was apprehended by workers.

Police claim that the arrested suspect subsequently implicated Manase and other suspected accomplices.

The State further alleges that Manase is linked to an attempted robbery at Kurima Centre in Msasa on September 12, where a gang armed with a pistol, iron bars, machetes and a bolt cutter allegedly scaled a wall and broke into several offices.

According to the State, detectives later spotted Manase driving a Toyota Vitz on Tuesday last week as he arrived at his parents’ home.

Upon seeing detectives, he allegedly jumped into a neighbouring property and fled, prompting officers to give chase and fire shots in his direction.

Police allegedly observed a trail of blood along his escape route but failed to locate him that day.

On Monday, detectives received information that Manase was hiding in Murisa Park, Seke, where he was nursing his gunshot wounds.

He was subsequently arrested and police said they found out that he had four gunshot wounds.

Court papers also link Manase and co-accused Gabriel Mukambachaza (42) to two earlier armed robberies.

In one incident, the pair and their accomplices are accused of raiding Africa Steel in Southerton on March 12, where they allegedly confronted and disarmed security guards before blasting open safes and stealing US$14,118.

They are also accused of robbing a service station in Glaudina on June 22, where a gang allegedly confronted workers and a security guard before stealing a cellphone, baton, pepper spray, fuel coupons and about US$500. _*HMetro*_