By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA
and SYLVIA MWEETWA-
FOUR bandits on Saturday night pounced on Puma Filling Station in Chambishi on the Copperbelt where they blew a safe and snatched K60,000 and US $9,700 cash.
The robbers gained access to the cash after they blew up the safe containing money in suspicious circumstances.
Copperbelt Commissioner of Police, Joyce Kasosa yesterday confirmed the robbery that took place on Saturday night around 22:30 hours at the Puma Filing Station located near Chambishi Copper Smelter (CCS) turn-off.
Ms Kasosa said police had since picked up four security guards and two fuel attendants to help with investigations in the suspicious robbery.
She said the robbers were driving a Toyota Spacio when they invaded the filing station and stole the money.
Ms Kasosa said apart from the cash, the robbers also stole a closed-circuit television monitor from the filing station being run by Zhong Kuang Services of Chambishi.
She said the total of value of the theft was K124,000 and named the complainant Li Chao, a Chinese of residential address eight, ZCCZ, Chambishi.
“The manner the robbery took place is suspicious and police have picked four security guards and two fuel attendants to assist with investigations,” Ms Kasosa said.
Meanwhile, police have arrested and charged two brothers suspected to have robbed an Irish couple in Chisamba last week.
Police have also recovered a pistol suspected to have been used in the act. The pistol was found hidden in the bush.
Central Province Commissioner of  Police,  Standwell Lungu identified the two suspects as Clement and John  Moonga aged 32 and 26 years, both of  Musonda Village in Liteta area who were employed by the couple. He said   they had been  picked up following investigations.
Mr Lungu said the two brothers have been linked to robbing of Francis Grogan and his wife Geraldine working for Zambeef  in Chisamba who were robbed of K2,000 cash, clothes and cellular phone among other personal items.
The two gained entry to the house through the window.
Mr Lungu said apart from recovering a firearm, police recovered over K3,000 cash, 95 British pounds, 110 Euros and Mozambican currency among other items.
The two suspects were house boys at the couple’s farm house and have been charged for aggravated robbery and would appear in court soon.