Daring gang of police impersonators Intercept Truck, Steal Cigarette Consignment
In a daring and audacious act, a gang of nine individuals posing as police officers intercepted a truck en route to Beitbridge, making off with 581 boxes of cigarettes. The incident, which occurred last week, has since resulted in the arrest of six suspects, according to National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Trymore Chimbambo (39), Maxwell Kudziwe (28), Joe Partson (50), Takudzwa Brian Pawandiwa (33), Samuel Mushambiri (34), and Tatenda Gorombe (49). Police are also searching for three additional suspects, namely Gift Kajawo, Norest Dipi (alias Kabhuru), and Tawanda, who are believed to be involved in the crime.
The robbery took place along the Masvingo-Harare Road. The gang, travelling in a Toyota Hilux twin cab, intercepted an Isuzu rigid truck carrying the valuable cigarette consignment from Harare to Beitbridge. Posing as detectives, they handcuffed the truck’s crew members and redirected the vehicle to Gutu turn-off.
Assistant Commissioner Nyathi provided details on the arrests, stating, “Detectives also recovered the suspects’ get-away vehicle, a Toyota Hilux and a Mercedes Benz rigid truck which was used to transport the stolen consignment from Masvingo to Harare,” he added while appealing for leads that may assist the police in arresting three more accomplices.
“The police are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the outstanding suspects identified as Gift Kajawo of Hopley Zone 2, Harare, Norest Dipi alias Kabhuru and Tawanda.”
As a result of the arrests, law enforcement police were able to recover 430 boxes of cigarettes from a residence in Stay Field, Waterfalls, Harare, as well as from a company located at Tilco Industries in Chitungwiza.
