Suburban
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
SHOPPING centres located in Ward 7 Blue Lagoon in Avondale West and Strathaven in Strathaven recently suffered thefts of mobile phones and laptops with the culprits still at large.
Three thieves, two women and one man, who can be clearly be identified on a closed circuit television (CCTV) footage recently pounced on the Cold Chain shop on the corner of West Road and Lomagundi Road at the Blue Lagoon shopping complex.
One of the women can be seen picking up a cellphone and hiding it before they make their way out of the shop.
The suspects allegedly stole an S20 FE cellphone, which was in the manager’s office at the Cold Chain shop club. A report of the cellphone theft was made at Avondale Police Station.
A few kilometres away from Blue Lagoon, a laptop was reportedly stolen at Strathaven shopping centre. Details of the theft were not immediately available.
The owners of the shop at Blue Lagoon have since expressed their worry about the time the case is taking considering they have evidence which includes pictures and videos of the three suspected thieves in their possession.
“The theft took place on the 20th November 2021 at 1pm. We have CCTV footage of the theft. The vehicle they used was also captured, the police have assured us that investigations are underway. The vehicle used was a black E320, Mercedes Benz, registration number ACR 0636,” said a spokesperson for the shop owners.
Early this week, the shop owners confirmed that a warrant of search and seizure of the car was yet to be signed by a magistrate.
The shop owners say the police have leads but currently cannot do anything until they get the seizure and search warrant. The warranty will give the police time to arrest, search and seize goods at the residence of the identified suspects who were clearly captured on CCTV footage.
The owners said they could not understand why it was taking so long to arrest the culprits.
Avondale Crime Consultative Committee (CCC) chairperson Mr Thulani Mpofu, who was away on personal business expressed concern over the two incidents and urged the Avondale community to start taking measures to fortify their residences and businesses.
“I urge the Avondale community to start taking measures to fortify their residences and businesses for target hardening and as a precaution so as to deter criminals and for crime prevention as we approach festive season. Where possible houses must not be left unattended to deter unlawful entries which tend to be prevalent during the festive season as most (people) are away,” he said.
“Safety and security matters are of community importance for everyone and therefore I also urge residents to ensure, they are in community alert and neighbourhood watch WhatsApp groups for notifications and or information on their neighbourhoods. Know your neighbour, as they usually are the first responders to (crime) scenes and have all important contacts on speed dial,” said Mr Mpofu.
Mr Mpofu, is also the ZRP CCCs Harare Suburban District chairperson, which oversees CCCs for Avondale, Borrowdale, Highlands, Marlborough, Mabelreign, Mabvuku Ruwa and Rhodesville.
