Swift action by SAPS members who responded to a business robbery complaint led to the arrest of three alleged armed robbery suspects and the confiscation of suspected stolen property in Old Cape Road, Greenbushes on Tuesday afternoon, 7 December 2021.
It is alleged that on abovementioned date, at approximately 16:00, the complainant was in the shop when one suspect entered the shop and pretended to be a customer. He made a purchase and left the shop. He then returned with two more suspects.
The complainant and customers were pointed with a firearm and were ordered to lay on the floor. The suspects took various items from the shop and locked the complainant and customers inside the shop before fleeing in a blue Toyota LDV.
The complainant alerted a child who was passing by the shop. A patrolling SAPS vehicle from Thornhill was flagged down. The members immediately requested assistance from SAPS Kabega Park as they patrolled the area in search of the suspects.
The vehicle was soon spotted, a high speed chase ensued and the vehicle was intercepted at Cape Road close to Mission Road. The suspects alighted from the vehicle and fled in different directions. Three suspects aged between 21 and 32 were successfully apprehended.
Police recovered all the stolen goods (electronics, baby care products, cash, groceries and 2 cell phones valued at approximately R18 000.00).
The blue Toyota LDV was also impounded for further investigation. The suspects were detained on charges of business robbery and possession of suspected stolen property and are expected to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court soon.
