Chimanimani man steals $8 000 gadgets

THE Chipinge Criminal Investigations Department (CID) last week arrested a suspected criminal from Chimanimani on charges of illegal entry and theft of electrical gadgets valued at $8 000.

The suspect allegedly broke into an electrical gadgets shop in Chipinge and stole an assortment of cellphones and laptops valued at $8 000.

Chipinge CID spokesperson Detective Assistant Inspector Daniel Mhini confirmed the arrest of Pedzisai Mujaji (32), of Chirau village, under Chief Chikukwain Chimanimani.

“Yes, I can confirm that we have arrested a house-breaker Pedzisai Mujaji, who is currently assisting us with investigations,” he said.

“Circumstances are that on May 9, 2018 Mujaji pounced on Timothy Sigauke’s shop at Number 37 Main Street, Chipinge during the night and displaced asbestos sheets to gain entry into the shop.

“While in the shop, the accused person stole 2x250 HP laptops,2xLenovo laptops and 89 smart phones and vanished unnoticed,” he said.

Det Asst Insp Mihini said on July15, detectives employed the concept of telephone record analysis to track the culprit.

“Using the telephone record analysis, we discovered that the accused was frequently communicating with his associates using a telecommunication booster at Chimaimani business centre. The detectives’ expertness pointed the forwarding particulars of the accused. Detectives made concerted follow-ups and got assistance from the members of the public who furnished further places frequently visited by the accused.

“Following a vigorous and restless tracking, the detectives located and arrested the accused at the comfort of his homestead, situated at the bottom of the mountainous Chikukwa village along the Zimbabwean boarder with Mozambique. The arrest of the accused person led to the recovery of two brand new laptops,” he said.

The accused was expected to appear in court for initial remand this week.

CID is appealing to the business community to employ security guards at their premises and putting burglar bars at their shops to deter criminals.