Bruce Chipunza threatened staff at the Saffron Building Society branch in Colchester on 1 July 2019, brandishing a screwdriver during an armed robbery. After the incident, he fled the scene but was closely pursued by police.
Security footage later captured Chipunza entering a hotel where he changed his clothes. He then took a taxi to his home on Ellis Road, Clacton. Not finished, he changed outfits again before heading to Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, where he went on a bold shopping spree.
Attempting to evade detection, Chipunza used a cloned mobile phone to cover his tracks. Despite this, he was arrested when he returned to Clacton the following day. During police questioning, he remained silent but was subsequently charged.
Chipunza denied the charges on 16 August 2019. However, after a two-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, he was found guilty on 23 November 2019. He received an eight-year sentence for the Colchester robbery as well as a similar sentence for a robbery committed days earlier in Chadwell Heath, London.
The court revealed that Chipunza, aged 31, has a lengthy criminal record with 21 convictions for 45 offences, including theft, burglary, and fraud.
A spokesman for Saffron Building Society stated, “Thanks to our security procedures, no staff or public were harmed. We’re pleased with the outcome and the proper sentence served.”
Detective Constable Tim Harris described Chipunza as a “persistent career criminal” who “showed no remorse” and praised the bravery of the victims. He said, “Some victims suffered life-changing psychological trauma. We supported them throughout and commend their courage in giving evidence. Bringing Chipunza to justice was a joint effort by Essex Police, the Met Flying Squad, and the CPS. The overwhelming evidence left no doubt. We hope his victims now feel safer knowing he’s behind bars.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
