Four armed robbers pounce on Munyoro Business Centre
Published: 2013 December 19 20:15:04 (5269 Views)
SHOP workers and customers had to scurry for cover in a guerilla scenario, when four armed robbers pounced on Munyoro Business Centre in Nkulumane 11 and an Ecocash outlet at Sekusile Shopping centre on Wednesday evening.
The gun-wielding robbers left shop workers and customers in shock when they unexpectedly launched the surprise attacks on the shops before escaping with a total of $1, 845.
The three shops, Cup Supermarket trading as Lucky 7, TZ Supermarket and Mako Nights Sports Bar lost all their Wednesday's takings in less than 15 minutes.
One of the robbers clapped a shop assistant and fired a gun shot to frighten the innocent shoppers and workers.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident yesterday, saying no arrests had been made so far.
"Bulawayo police are handling four armed robbery cases that occurred in Nkulamane suburb in the evening of 18 December 2013.
Three of the incidents occurred at shops that are at Munyoro Shopping Centre while the other occurred at an Ecocash outlet at Sekusile Shopping Centre.
"At about 7pm, four male robbers went into a supermarket where they fired one shot and ordered everyone inside to lie down.
They demanded money and managed to get $600," said Insp Moyo.
He said the robbers proceeded to a shop next door and produced a pistol before ordering everyone inside to lie down.
"They took $92 from the tills and went to the bottle store door where they fired one shot before ordering everyone inside to lie down.
They took away $127 before searching a patron who had $300 in his pocket.
"At about 7.45pm four armed robbers went to an Ecocash outlet at Sekusile Shopping Centre where they produced a pistol and demanded money.
They took away $276," said Insp Moyo.
Insp Moyo warned the business community over robbers that are on the prowl as indicated by the robbery incidents.
"It is against this background that we warn the business community to regularly bank their cash and ensure that their banking schedules are unpredictable.
We encourage them to invest in securities like close circuit televisions (CCTV) and alarms.
"The intelligence we have gathered suggests that armed robbers carry out extensive surveillance of their target before striking.
It is important that business people first carry out a security risk analysis before choosing site of their business ventures," said Insp Moyo.
He added: "Business people are advised to enlist services of reputable security companies in the transmission of large sums of money to and from banks.
Where feasible, we encourage them to use the RTGS system.
We discourage people from keeping large sums of money either at home or their business premises.
"Supermarkets should ensure that tills are regularly emptied so that if an attack occurs, with robbers will get away with small amounts of money.
They should also monitor activities in an around the premises at all times and stick to the stipulated closing time as operating late exposes them to criminals." Insp Moyo also strongly warned people not to resist when they are attacked by armed robbers as they do not hesitate to kill if they feel their safety is at stake.
He also urged members of the public with firearms to report them immediately as they pose a security danger to the public.
"Those who legally own firearms should ensure that they keep them in safes and carry them only for the purposes specified in their firearms certificates.
Failure to secure firearms is a criminal offence.
"Firearms are issued for various purposes and should that need cease, we direct firearms holders to immediately surrender such firearms to the police," said Insp Moyo.
He urged members of the public to promptly report any suspicious characters they see roaming on trading floors in the vicinity of business premises.
"In most instances, armed robbers will be motorised and we encourage people to take note of registration numbers of suspiciously moving or parked vehicles.
Robbers are warned that the long arm of the law will catch up with them," said Insp Moyo.
He indicated that a reward is offered for information leading to the arrest of these robbers and said anyone with information that may assist in accounting for the armed robbers can contact the police on (09) 885479,881466,77523 or 110 by through Netone
- Zim Metro
The gun-wielding robbers left shop workers and customers in shock when they unexpectedly launched the surprise attacks on the shops before escaping with a total of $1, 845.
The three shops, Cup Supermarket trading as Lucky 7, TZ Supermarket and Mako Nights Sports Bar lost all their Wednesday's takings in less than 15 minutes.
One of the robbers clapped a shop assistant and fired a gun shot to frighten the innocent shoppers and workers.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident yesterday, saying no arrests had been made so far.
"Bulawayo police are handling four armed robbery cases that occurred in Nkulamane suburb in the evening of 18 December 2013.
Three of the incidents occurred at shops that are at Munyoro Shopping Centre while the other occurred at an Ecocash outlet at Sekusile Shopping Centre.
"At about 7pm, four male robbers went into a supermarket where they fired one shot and ordered everyone inside to lie down.
They demanded money and managed to get $600," said Insp Moyo.
He said the robbers proceeded to a shop next door and produced a pistol before ordering everyone inside to lie down.
"They took $92 from the tills and went to the bottle store door where they fired one shot before ordering everyone inside to lie down.
They took away $127 before searching a patron who had $300 in his pocket.
"At about 7.45pm four armed robbers went to an Ecocash outlet at Sekusile Shopping Centre where they produced a pistol and demanded money.
They took away $276," said Insp Moyo.
Insp Moyo warned the business community over robbers that are on the prowl as indicated by the robbery incidents.
"It is against this background that we warn the business community to regularly bank their cash and ensure that their banking schedules are unpredictable.
We encourage them to invest in securities like close circuit televisions (CCTV) and alarms.
"The intelligence we have gathered suggests that armed robbers carry out extensive surveillance of their target before striking.
It is important that business people first carry out a security risk analysis before choosing site of their business ventures," said Insp Moyo.
He added: "Business people are advised to enlist services of reputable security companies in the transmission of large sums of money to and from banks.
Where feasible, we encourage them to use the RTGS system.
We discourage people from keeping large sums of money either at home or their business premises.
"Supermarkets should ensure that tills are regularly emptied so that if an attack occurs, with robbers will get away with small amounts of money.
They should also monitor activities in an around the premises at all times and stick to the stipulated closing time as operating late exposes them to criminals." Insp Moyo also strongly warned people not to resist when they are attacked by armed robbers as they do not hesitate to kill if they feel their safety is at stake.
He also urged members of the public with firearms to report them immediately as they pose a security danger to the public.
"Those who legally own firearms should ensure that they keep them in safes and carry them only for the purposes specified in their firearms certificates.
Failure to secure firearms is a criminal offence.
"Firearms are issued for various purposes and should that need cease, we direct firearms holders to immediately surrender such firearms to the police," said Insp Moyo.
He urged members of the public to promptly report any suspicious characters they see roaming on trading floors in the vicinity of business premises.
"In most instances, armed robbers will be motorised and we encourage people to take note of registration numbers of suspiciously moving or parked vehicles.
Robbers are warned that the long arm of the law will catch up with them," said Insp Moyo.
He indicated that a reward is offered for information leading to the arrest of these robbers and said anyone with information that may assist in accounting for the armed robbers can contact the police on (09) 885479,881466,77523 or 110 by through Netone
- Zim Metro
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