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Emily Mbewe Chronicle Reporter
THREE armed robbers who pounced on their victims while clad in police and army regalia have been arrested, police said yesterday. Energy Jonasi, 20, Knowledge Jonasi, 23 and Matron Makamba, 30 were arrested in Zaka and Chiredzi in Masvingo province on Tuesday. The fourth suspect, Shepherd Makamba, 39, is still on the run.

National police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, said the gang committed the offences between May 16 and August 14.

She said the arrest led to the recovery of police and army uniforms, among them five Zimbabwe Republic Police shirts and two army camouflage trousers.

Also recovered were police trousers, jerseys, caps and camouflage jackets.

Other items that were recovered include five digital cameras, five cellphones, five iPads and one pair of binoculars.

“Further searches were conducted which led to the recovery of two motor vehicles: a navy blue Toyota Ipsum and a blue Nissan Hardbody believed to have been used in the commission of the armed robberies,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

She said three pistols and a satchel containing ZRP uniforms were not recovered.

“The total value of goods stolen is $65,550 and the value of those recovered is $15,000. Investigations revealed that the suspects committed many more offences. We’ve so far cleared six cases following the arrest,” Snr Asst Comm Charamba said.

“The ZRP would like to advise members of the public who fell victim to armed robbers to proceed to CID Masvingo, Chiredzi and Mwenezi to identify their property”.

She appealed to anyone who may have information on the fourth suspect, Makamba, to report at the nearest police station or contact the national complaints desk on telephone number: 04-703631.

In one incident, three of the suspects who were clad in police and army uniforms stormed a commercial farm in Mwenezi, handcuffed the farm owner, his wife and workers, and flogged them with a sjambok before disappearing with cash amounting to $5,000.

Snr Asst Comm Charamba warned criminals that the long arm of the law would soon catch up with them.