Police arrested Philip Mandeya after he stole a car and turned it into an illegal taxi service. The 28-year-old man from Honde Valley took the Toyota Ipsum from a gas station early Sunday morning. Officers caught him just hours later carrying passengers near Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital. Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka confirmed the arrest to local media. Mandeya faces theft charges after taking the vehicle from PetroTrade station.
Last Chauya parked his car at the service station around 6 a.m. on June 22. The 28-year-old Mutare resident left his doors unlocked but kept the windows closed. He returned at 5 p.m. to find his Toyota Ipsum missing from the lot. Coworkers told him they saw nothing suspicious during the day. Chauya began searching the city with help from another driver.
The car owner spotted his stolen vehicle along Mutare-Harare Highway. Mandeya was using hazard lights and picking up paying customers at a bus stop. Chauya walked toward the Toyota Ipsum and acted like a regular passenger. He first contacted Sergeant Mtunzi and Constable Kausiyo from the local police support unit. Officers moved in quickly and detained the suspect without incident.
Police recovered the $3,000 vehicle and returned it to Chauya. Mandeya told investigators he started the car with his personal keys. Authorities continue examining how this could have happened. The case highlights ongoing problems with vehicle theft across the region. Officials remind drivers to always lock their cars even during short stops.
Last Chauya parked his car at the service station around 6 a.m. on June 22. The 28-year-old Mutare resident left his doors unlocked but kept the windows closed. He returned at 5 p.m. to find his Toyota Ipsum missing from the lot. Coworkers told him they saw nothing suspicious during the day. Chauya began searching the city with help from another driver.
The car owner spotted his stolen vehicle along Mutare-Harare Highway. Mandeya was using hazard lights and picking up paying customers at a bus stop. Chauya walked toward the Toyota Ipsum and acted like a regular passenger. He first contacted Sergeant Mtunzi and Constable Kausiyo from the local police support unit. Officers moved in quickly and detained the suspect without incident.
Police recovered the $3,000 vehicle and returned it to Chauya. Mandeya told investigators he started the car with his personal keys. Authorities continue examining how this could have happened. The case highlights ongoing problems with vehicle theft across the region. Officials remind drivers to always lock their cars even during short stops.
