A 29 year old suspect was arrested for business robbery within minutes of a robbery in Swartkops. This followed after three armed suspects robbed a shop in Old Grahamstown Road, Swartkops at about 19:15, on 30 October 2018.
They took groceries, cigarettes and a cellphone of one of the shop clients. A Swartkops police member that stopped at the same shop to buy a cool drink walked past the suspects when they were on their way out of the shop. After seeing the shop owner on the ground behind the counter, he realised that a robbery took place and returned outside.
The suspects hurriedly got into their getaway vehicle a white Ford Fiesta, and the police member warned them to stop. When the vehicle sped away he attempted to shoot the vehicle tyres but the suspects managed to evade arrest.
About 10 minutes later, the vehicle was found abandoned in Mariners Row, Swartkops with all the stolen goods and cellphone still in the vehicle. After about another 20 minutes the vehicle owner (suspect) returned to the vehicle claiming he was hijacked, but after interviewing him he was arrested for the robbery.
The vehicle was impounded for forensic analysis and the suspect will appear before the Motherwell Magistrates Court on 1 November 2018 on charges of business robbery.
A firearm suspected to be linked to the robbery, was confiscated after a failed robbery attempt by an unknown male suspect in Strand Street, Swartkops.
This followed after a 53 year old female walking in the street on her way to church was gun pointed by an unknown male. Before he could say anything the female screamed and a man at the church came out to investigate. The suspect then fled the scene after throwing down the firearm. The firearm is suspected to be linked to the robbery at the shop last night.
The firearm was identified as a stolen firearm from Scenery Park in December 2017.
The firearm will also be analysed through ballistic and forensic tests.
The Motherwell Cluster Commander, Major General Dawie Rabie has applauded the swift actions by the police member and added “Our members reflects our (SAPS) strong stance against robberies and crimes committed with illegal firearms. SAPS will remain focused on these crimes and the taking of illegal firearms off our streets to ensure a safer environment for our communities”
South Africa Today – South Africa News
