POLICE in Gweru have arrested 17 suspected armed robbers belonging to three gangs that are allegedly linked to a spate of robberies committed in and around the city between October and December last year.

The gangs were armed with weapons such as firearms, axes, machetes and knobkerries when they were committing crimes.

Among those robbed were Roman Catholic nuns.

Police have recovered property worth thousands of United States dollars which include cars and electrical gadgets that are now being kept at Gweru Central Police Station.

Residents who fell victim to the alleged robbers have since been advised to come to the police station to identify their property.

Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the arrest of the 17 suspects.

He said investigations are underway to account for some of the gang members who are on the run.

“ZRP Midlands Province has arrested 17 people making up three gangs linked to a spate of robberies which were perpetrated in and around Gweru during a period spanning from the last quarter of year 2020.

“Stolen property worth thousands of United States dollars was recovered and is held at CID Gweru. Investigations are underway to account for some of the gang members who are still outstanding and have them all tried in the court of law,” said Insp Mahoko.

The arrested suspects, he said, are, Shepherd Gundani (36), Naison Dube (25) and Talent Ranganai (33) of Mkoba 13, Mugove Mutora (33) of Mkoba 5, Charles Munyanyiwa (29) of Mkoba 6, three relatives Panashe Tynos (31), Chriswell (20) and Talent (31) of Mkoba 12, Percy Mugauri (25) and Benjamin Chipapata (28) of no fixed aboard, Bernard Sibanda (26), Kudzai Maphosa (24), Tinashe Mharadze (26), Nicholas Sinengo (24) all of Mtapa, Prince Tazvivinga (28) of Senga, and Prosper Rwodzi (33) and Jonas Musekiwa (29) of Mkoba 14 suburb.- Chronicle