Accountant walks into robbery, walks out US$4 800 poorer!

Mthokozisi Ncube

A BULAWAYO accountant walked straight into an armed robbery at Woodlands and lost US$4 800 to gun-toting robbers who had already tied up workers and ransacked the premises.

The shocking robbery happened at a company that specialises in aluminium products on August 22 at around 2.25pm, with the five suspects allegedly getting away with a total of US$16 310 and 800 Chinese yuan.

According to Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, the accountant (24) arrived at the warehouse unaware that five armed men were already running the show.

The suspects intercepted and searched him before taking the US$4 800 he was carrying in his wallet.

According to police, the robbery had started moments earlier when two men entered the premises pretending to be genuine customers looking for metal doors.

Then three more men stormed in, shut the main door and donned black balaclavas.

The suspects produced pistols, threatened to shoot a 33-year-old woman employed as an administrator and demanded cash.

They searched a chest of drawers and took US$170 and US$40 from her handbag before force-marching her to the warehouse.

There, they found six employees.

The workers were ordered to lie on their stomachs before the robbers allegedly tied their hands behind their backs using tyre cables.

“The accused persons found six of her workmates who were in the factory and forced them to lie down on their stomachs before tying their hands behind their backs using tyre cables,” said Insp Msebele.

The robbers allegedly then forced one of the employees to use his thumb as a passcode to open an office in the warehouse.

They grabbed US$2 000 and disconnected the company’s CCTV cables before heading upstairs to two bedrooms, which they ransacked.

Another US$9 300 and 800 Chinese yuan, went into the robbers’ pockets.

Insp Msebele urged businesses and employees to tighten security and remain vigilant.

“Members of the public are advised to avoid keeping large sums of cash at business premises or in easily accessible areas,” said Insp Msebele.