The Choppies Bellevue outlet that was burgled
Patient Sibanda Chronicle Reporter
MASKED burglars blew up safes at Bulawayo’s Bellevue Choppies supermarket and got away with more than $16,000. Sources close to investigations said the robbers used shears to cut through the roof of the outlet on Sunday night.
They said a closed circuit television (CCTV) captured the gang as they moved around the shop and set up the explosives. Security guards at the shop, the sources said, did not hear the thieves blowing up the safes.
Workers discovered the robbery yesterday morning as the shop opened for business. “Robbers cut a hole through the roof to gain entrance. The shop managers discovered the shop had been robbed in the morning when they came to open the shop,” said a source.
The source said the robbers took $16,000, R6,700 and P1,500. The Chronicle yesterday observed detectives hunting for clues in the supermarket. Managers declined to comment, referring questions to the director, Siqokoqela Mphoko who was unreachable.
Bulawayo Metropolitan Province police spokesperson Inspector Simango said investigations into the break-in were underway. “I confirm that we received a case of unlawful entry and theft that occurred at Bellevue Choppies Supermarket. Investigations are in progress,” said Insp Simango.
She urged business people to avoid keeping large sums of money in their premises.
“As police we’re appealing to members of the public not to keep large sums of money in their premises. They should deposit the money in banks,” said Insp Simango.
Choppies supermarkets in the city have been targets of robbers who gain entry into the outlets by cutting holes through the roofs.
Recently, robbers hit Bulawayo’s Richmond Spar and got away with more than $10,000.
Last month robbers pounced on six Bulawayo schools and got away with more than $4,000.
In August police arrested three suspected robbers who were using grinders to break into premises targeting safes.