Criminals steal K60, 000 cash from Vitz

By NATION REPORTER

SUSPECTED Criminals have stolen K60, 000 cash and other valuables belonging UBABA Logistics Company after breaking into a Toyota Vitz car, which was parked at MayFair Insurance Company premises in Lusaka.

Police deputy spokesperson Danny Mwale said the cash and some company documents were left in the car while the owner was attending to some business at Mayfair Insurance Company on Lusaka’s Addis Ababa Drive.

He said the incident happened on Saturday around 16:00 hours.

He said the victim identified as Chundu Simfukwe, 38, of Lusaka’s Chelstone withdrew money from Atlas Mara Bank branch at Arcades Mall and drove to Mayfair Insurance where he parked the vehicle and left the money and company documents in the car. Mr Mwale said when Mr Simfukwe returned to the car, he discovered that the rear right passenger window had been broken and that the money, bank cheque book and other valuables were missing.

He said police visited the scene and viewed CCTV footage, which showed a grey Mercedes Benz car following Mr Simfukwe’s vehicle into the Mayfair Insurance premises.

“Two unknown male persons emerged from the car and one was seeing hitting the window to gain access.” Mr Mwale said.

And in a similar incident, unknown people broke into a Toyota Fortuner and stole a bag containing K60, 000 cash and various documents, including two cheque books.

Mr Mwale said the incident happened on Saturday between 14:00 hours and 14:45 hours at Spoon Restaurant in Olympia Park.

“Initial investigations indicate that the owner of the vehicle identified as Mariajani Lungu aged 48 of Meanwood parked the vehicle at Spoons Restaurant along Parliament Road where he was having his lunch.

“When he returned to the car, he was alerted by the guard that unknown people he did not see broke his car. Police visited the scene and found that the passenger rear window was broken to gain entry,” Mr Mwale said

He said police have instituted investigations in both incidents.

“We have observed with serious concern the increase in the number of cases involving thefts from motor vehicles. We wish to remind members of the public, especially motorists that leaving valuables in the car at any point attracts criminals who will do everything possible within their means to gain access even if the vehicle is locked,” he said.

He encouraged Motorists to make good use of their rear view mirrors to check who was following them whenever they embarked on their journeys, especially after leaving banks.