Immediately after an alert was circulated of an armed robbery on an elderly couple in St Francis Bay, SAPS St Francis Bay, Humansdorp K9, private security companies and the community rallied together and the hunt for the three suspects started in earnest.
It is alleged that on Monday evening, 10 October 2022 at about 18:30, the couple (in their late 70’s) returned home in Galjoen Street in Oyster Bay.
As the complainant parked his bakkie in the driveway, he noticed three unknown males seated opposite his house. He approached them and enquired from them as to their presence. As he turned to leave, one of the males grabbed him from behind and held a knife against him while the other male produced a firearm.
The suspects attempted to force the couple into the garage however they put up a brave fight and started screaming. The suspects ran off with the woman’s handbag and the complainant’s .22 pistol.
Once news of the attack was circulated, the team combed the large bushy areas in search of the men.
At about 20:50, Humansdorp K9 unit succeeded in arresting a 32 year old suspect who was hiding in the thicket. A 9mm pistol was found in his possession and the woman’s handbag was also recovered. The firearm was reported stolen in Gauteng in 2011.
The remaining two suspects aged between 25-28 years old were arrested at about 04:30 on 11 October 2022 by the community and private security. The suspects were also hiding in bushes.
The complainant’s firearm has not yet been recovered.
The suspects are detained on charges on armed robbery and are expected to appear in the Humansdorp magistrate court soon.
Sarah Baartman District Commissioner, Brig John Lebok commended the team work between the SAPS, private security and the community. “Working together as a team towards a common vision will always reap positive effects. We are committed to enhancing community involvement so that by working in partnership, we can have a positive impact on crime and criminality. Community policing is a people’s programme for the people to take back control of their own communities, and to ensure that there is no space for criminals, but space for our women, children, the elderly to move about freely in our neighbourhoods,” added Brig Lebok.
