HARARE – A serial thief caught on camera smashing a car window and stealing a bag in Avondale, Harare, was beginning a three-year jail term on Monday.
Michael Robinson, 49, was caught on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) on May 14 mapping out the parked vehicle before smashing a window and grabbing a black bag left on a seat.
Harare provincial magistrate Joy Chikodzore sentenced Robinson to four years in jail but conditionally suspended one year.
“It’s clear from the State’s evidence that you committed the offence and you never challenge its evidence… The convicted person is an unrepentant criminal who has previous convictions for similar offences,” Chikodzore said.
Shepherd Makonde, for the prosecution, said Mohammed Ayobi parked his vehicle at Avondale Shops around noon, and secured it by closing all windows and locking all doors.
Robinson, acting in connivance with his accomplices Canaan Madamombe and Kudakwashe Ernest, smashed a left passenger side window and grabbed the bag before jumping into a waiting vehicle which is seen passing the target vehicle a few times.
A video of the incident captured by the Avondale Veterinary CCTV went viral on the internet.
On the second charge, prosecutor Shepherd Makonde said on April 21 at around 9PM, Tanatsirwa Rinomhota parked his car at corner Samora Machel and Leopold Takawira in Harare and proceeded to a Trek Service Station which is across the street.
Makonde told the court that Robinson and his accomplices smashed the rear quarter glass window and stole a mobile phone and other personal items worth ZW$6,000.
Police received a tip-off and raided Robinson’s house in Arcadia where they recovered some of the stolen property.
