Harare man faces armed robbery charges for alleged heist of US$128,932
A 22-year-old man from Harare has made an appearance at the Harare Magistrates Court, where he stands accused of armed robbery.
Learnmore Chiko, along with his alleged accomplices, allegedly orchestrated a robbery in which they targeted a motorist and made off with a substantial sum of US$128,932 in cash.
During the court proceedings before Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa, Chiko was remanded in custody until December 14 of this year.
According to the State’s case, Chiko, together with Roy Pedzisai Jambaya, George Mapudzi, Massat Chikomo, and Justice Chigayo (who are still at large), devised a plan to rob Bethel Jiri.
The court heard that on the night of August 21, the group armed themselves with wheel spanners and pursued Jiri as she collected cash from two different shops. They intercepted Jiri at the intersection of Bute/Leopold Takawira Street in Harare, using a Nissan Caravan and a Toyota Corolla to block her path.
It is alleged that the group then used the wheel spanners to smash the rear passenger windows of Jiri’s vehicle before making off with two boxes containing the substantial sum of US$128,932. After the robbery, they quickly fled the scene.
Subsequently, detectives from the CID Homicide were informed on September 5 about Chiko’s alleged involvement in the robbery. Chiko was apprehended and detained at ZRP Mutasa. During questioning, he admitted to participating in the robbery and disclosed that he had used his share of the stolen money to purchase a Honda Fit vehicle.
One of Chiko’s co-accused, Roy Pedzisai Jambaya, has already been arrested and is currently in custody, awaiting trial.
