Robbers raid farmers’ shop in Borrowdale, make off with over US$31K

Jeremiah Mudonha Suburban Correspondent

A NINE-member gang of armed robbers carried out a daring raid on Maguire Farming Inputs Services shop in Borrowdale, making off with over $31 500 in cash last Thursday.

Harare Provincial Police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Julius Chakanza said the robbery occurred around 6.30pm at the shop premises along Harare Drive.

“A private security guard, Ishamel Soko was on duty at the gate when he witnessed a male suspect scaling the perimeter wall and approaching him.

“In a desperate attempt to seek help, Soko tried to flee the guardroom but was immediately surrounded by four masked suspects armed with what appeared to be pistols.

“The assailants overpowered the guard and forced him to lead them to the offices,” he said.

At the offices, Insp Chakanza said four additional robbers also wielding firearms had already surrounded the company director Mr Alistar Mckenzie (57).

“The criminals then compelled both Mckenzie and Soko to lie on the floor and bound them with tire cables.

“The gang then ransacked the first office, making off with US$1,500 that was stored in a wooden cabinet. Undeterred, they proceeded to force Mckenzie to take them to the company’s other office where the main safe was kept.

“Once there, the robbers further ransacked the office and seized US$30 000 from the safe.  The suspects then abandoned Mckenzie and swiftly escaped, scaling over the perimeter wall and vanishing without a trace.

“The total amount stolen during the raid amounted to $31 500,” he said.

Insp Chakanza said no arrests or recoveries have been made so far but the police are working tirelessly to identify and apprehend the suspects.

He also urged businesses to avoid keeping large sums of cash on their premises and to employ robust security measures to prevent such brazen robberies in the future.