An unrepentant thief who escaped from Huahua young offenders prison where he was serving a 14-month sentence was recently re-arrested, along with two other suspects, in connection with a series of illegal entry and car thefts reported in Nyanga. Mutare and Harare.
The crimes were reported between September 2023 and this month.
Police confirmed the arrest of prison escapees, Promise Muchena (27 years old), Desmond Kamundimu (28 years old), and Eric Pfoy (24 years old).
National Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests.
“On 10 January 2024, Mutare CID investigators acted on a tip-off and arrested Promise Muchena in relation to 18 counts of unlawful entry into premises and theft, five counts of theft from motor vehicles and four counts of motor vehicle theft.
“He implicated the suspect Desmond Kamundimu and Eric Pfoy as his accomplices, which led to their arrest.
“The arrest of the three suspects led to the recovery of stolen property which includes laptops, televisions, solar panels and inventors, among other valuables, all valued at US$19,530.
“Further investigations revealed that Muchena escaped from Huahua Young Offender Prison on August 15, 2023, where he was serving a 14-month sentence for unlawful entry into the premises and theft,” Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said.
In one case which occurred in Nyamhuka 2, Nyanga, on 18 November 2023, the three suspects allegedly stole a Honda Fit worth US$5,000 and later dumped it in Mutare following a traffic accident.
In another car theft case that occurred in White Cliff South, Harare, on 3 December 2023, the three suspects allegedly stole a Toyota Vitz worth US$2,450 and later dumped it in Mutare after another road traffic accident.
“In one of the cases of illegal entry and theft reported in Chikanga, Mutare, on 27 October 2023, the three suspects forced open the kitchen door and entered the house, before stealing a laptop,” Assistant Commissioner Nyathi said.
The official police spokesman praised the efforts of citizens in combating crime. Manica Post
