Swift response and joint efforts by police, traffic officials and local security personnel led to the arrest of two suspects as well as the recovery of an unlicensed firearm following a robbery at a spaza shop after their vehicle was stopped at the White bridge on the N2 highway, Knysna on Tuesday, 20 April 2021 at about 20:20.
Preliminary investigation reveals that provincial traffic officials stopped a motor vehicle, Opel Corsa, when three of the four occupants exited the vehicle and fled into the bushes near the White Bridge. They immediately altered the police and local security personnel who responded to the scene. A search of the vehicle ensued when the members discovered items which were linked to a robbery at a spaza shop.
Investigation into the robbery indicates that four men, at least one armed with a firearm, entered a spaza shop at Concordia on the same day at about 19:30. They threatened the victims and forced the patrons to the floor. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash, cigarettes and cell phones before they fled the scene.
The police arrested the 32-year-old driver who was found inside the vehicle, allegedly used as a getaway vehicle, on a charge of business robbery.
At first light on 21 April 2021 security personnel of Allsound Security responded to information of a suspicious looking man who was seen in the vicinity where the trio disappeared in the bushes. He noticed response teams and fled, but his freedom was short-lived when they caught up with him and apprehended the man. He was later also positively linked to the robbery.
The joint effort by all the role-players continued with an extensive search of the bushes today. This search resulted in the recovery of an unlicensed firearm, an undisclosed amount of cash, cigarettes and blue overalls.
Both suspects, aged 32 and 30, remain in custody. They will appear in the Knysna Magistrates’ court on Friday, 23 April 2021 on charges of business robbery.
Their accomplices are yet to be arrested.
Eden Cluster Commander, Major General Oswald Reddy, praised all role-players for their vigilance and commitment in pursuing these suspects. He also commended them for their efforts which led to the removal of an unlicensed firearm from the streets.
