Armed robbers flee empty-handed after being interrupted during solar panel theft
In the early hours of June 19, 2023, a group of armed robbers attempted a heist at the Gotora Clinic in Hwedza, Zimbabwe. Armed with machetes, knives, and logs, the robbers overpowered a security guard and made off with 12 solar panels from the clinic’s solar yard. They also robbed a pregnant woman of her laptop and cell phone.
However, their heist was cut short when community members heard unusual noises from the clinic and came to investigate. The suspects fled, leaving their stolen loot behind. The community reported the matter to the police, who managed to intercept the vehicle with the robbers at 10 Miles near Marondera.
The robbers, realizing they were cornered, abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot into the darkness. The police launched a manhunt for the suspects, who were still at large. However, one suspect, identified as Johannes Mathias from Epworth, Harare, was caught and arrested. The police recovered the stolen laptop and cell phone.
The incident highlights the importance of community policing and vigilance in preventing crime. The police commended the community for their efforts in preventing the theft and appealed to anyone with information on the remaining suspects to approach CID Marondera or any nearest police station.
The robbers’ failed heist also highlights the risks of committing a crime in a tight-knit community, where residents are quick to act and prevent crime. The suspects may have thought they could get away with their crime, but they were outmatched by the community’s vigilance and the police’s swift response.
