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BULAWAYO — A wave of brazen vehicle thefts has rattled the City, with two cars disappearing under dramatic circumstances over the weekend, prompting urgent warnings from police.
Toyota Baby Quantum Hijacked in High-Speed Heist
In a scene likened to a “crime movie,” a 30-year-old Nguboyenja commuter omnibus driver lost his Toyota Baby Quantum (Reg: AHA 0109) on Sunday night after a passenger turned pirate.
The driver had stopped outside Food For Less at the corner of 11th Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street around 8:30 PM to fetch change, leaving the engine running. A front-seat passenger seized the opportunity, speeding off toward Plumtree in the US$13,500 vehicle.
The frantic driver pursued the thief in a hired taxi but lost track.
“Leaving your vehicle running is extremely risky. Criminals are always watching,” cautioned Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele.
Authorities are appealing for public assistance to locate the car.
Honda Fit Disappears in Broad Daylight
In a separate incident, a 48-year-old Pumula South man fell victim to a daytime theft after parking his silver Honda Fit (Reg: AHF 4044) along Herbert Chitepo Street between 5th and 6th Avenues on Saturday.
He entered Africa Bet Shop at 6:45 PM, returning 45 minutes later to find his US$3,000 vehicle gone.
“I locked the doors and windows, but the boot was faulty. I never imagined it could vanish in such a busy area,” the owner lamented. Inspector Msebele confirmed the theft, stressing,
“Vehicle owners must avoid leaving cars unattended for long, especially in high-traffic zones.”
Police Urge Vigilance Amid Rising Concern
With both cases under investigation, authorities warn that Bulawayo’s streets are increasingly targeted by opportunistic thieves. No arrests have been made, and neither vehicle has been recovered.
Residents are urged to report suspicious activity to local police.
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