Alertness and innovative skills by a security guard manning a shop premises led to the arrest of a burglar after he trapped him in the ceiling.
The NPA said the offender, only identified as Raymond (24) of Chinhoyi, was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment, with six months suspended.
He was convicted of breaking into a mobile phone retail outlet in Mbizo and stealing over USD 7,000.
The owner of the shop left over USD 9,000 after locking up for the day on 20 June 2025.
“At around 2200 hours, Raymond gained access to the shop using a ladder to climb onto the roof.
“He removed the section of the roof using a screwdriver and pliers, gained entry through the ceiling, and disabled the alarm before going into the shop.
“He took some cash from the cash box and tried to flee,” said NPA.
An alert guard manning the premises heard noises and investigated.
“He found the ladder, leading to a hole in the ceiling.
“The guard quickly removed the ladder, trapping the offender in the ceiling until he was later removed and apprehended.”
Raymond was found in possession of a small green satchel containing USD 7 871.
