Armed Robbery Suspects Apprehended Following Waterfalls Shootout
Five suspected armed robbers, apprehended after a shootout with police in Waterfalls last week, found themselves facing justice in court over the weekend.
The suspected armed robbers came under the law’s scrutiny after Patricia Mutedzi, who was driving a car identified in CCTV footage as their getaway vehicle, was tracked down. Under questioning, Mutedzi implicated her accomplices: Munyaradzi Jonga (34), Munyaradzi Sandaka (33), Dereck Mafoti (39), and Tinotenda Foto (19).
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A subsequent police raid on Jonga’s residence prompted him to attempt escape, resulting in a confrontation where he opened fire on officers and was subsequently shot in the leg. Sandaka also resisted arrest and was shot in the shin during the scuffle.
According to court documents, the gang coordinated a robbery on January 22, targeting an unnamed victim in Waterfalls. Armed with a revolver, they forcibly entered the victim’s home while she was listening to music, instructing her to lead them to her father’s bedroom and surrendering the keys.
Once inside, they plundered the room, making off with US$13,000 from a safe, along with polished emeralds, a diamond scale, wristwatches, and title deeds. The stolen goods were loaded into their getaway car, and later disposed of in a pool in Epworth after being blasted open.
Police efforts led to the recovery of the gold scale and emeralds, forming crucial evidence against the accused in their forthcoming legal proceedings.
