Zvikomborero Parafini
THE police have made a big breakthrough in the armed robbery case that occurred at Dahwe Farm in August after they managed to track down the owner of a cell phone that was dropped at the scene.
Police believe Taurai Pangai, 33, dropped his phone at the crime scene on August 27.
They believe Pangai and his 11 accomplices were fleeing from the scene.
The court heard that on the day in question, Pangai and his accomplices went to Dahwe Farm, which is owned by San He Mining Company, in a grey Mazda BTS registration number ACU 5878.
When they got there, Pangai and his accomplices manhandled several mine workers and, in the process, they took their cell phones to cut communication channels.
They forced mine mechanic, Lawman Mureya, to show them the Chinese nationals’ residence.
Three of the gang members allegedly then pointed three firearms at the Chinese nationals, who were in their dining room playing games, after supper.
The gang members took all the cellphones, broke into the female Chinese accountant’s bedroom, tied her with ropes and demanded cash.
Pangai and his accomplices stole US$120 000, which was under the accountant’s mattress.
They allegedly took the other nine male Chinese nationals to their bedrooms and stole various amounts of money.
One of the accused persons fired one shot into the air to scare away the mob, which was on its way to rescue the Chinese nationals.
The gang stole a vehicle at the scene and used it as their gateway car while their accomplice, Tawanda Bhasikoro, drove away from the crime scene in their grey Mazda.
Pangai and his accomplices dumped the vehicles, the stolen Toyota Revo and their getaway Mazda BT50, in Concession after a long chase with police officers.
The police picked up a phone where they dumped the cars and it was tracked to Pangai, leading to his arrest.