Swartkops police officers arrested seven suspects aged between 17 and 28, for business robbery, possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of suspected stolen property after information regarding the vehicle involved with robbery was circulated.
It is alleged that on Saturday, 13 July 2019 at approximately 22:00 a garage in Uitenhage Road, Sidwell was robbed. The cashier was inside the shop when four suspects entered, one armed with a firearm and took money from the cash register, cigarettes and chocolates. They also demanded their cell phones and when they got no cell phones, the employees were instructed to lay down while they helped themselves with other items. The suspects fled and while exiting they fired a random shot, no one was injured and when the cashier realised that the suspects fled the panic button was activated. Information was later received that the suspects fled in a Toyota LDV.
The information was circulated and while members from SAPS Swartkops were busy with patrols at Fun Village, St Georges they noticed the vehicle and managed to arrest seven suspects, recovered a firearm, two toy firearms, cigarettes, chocolates and biscuits. All the suspects will appear in the Motherwell Magistrates’ Court on charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of suspected stolen property.
In another unrelated robbery on Saturday, 13 July 2019 at 21:25 at a garage in Uitenhage Road, Algoa Park, two suspects entered the shop with their faces covered and pointed the cashier and demanded money. The suspects fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured during the robbery and the investigation is still ongoing.
The South African Police Services would like to request garage owners to alert their employees and request them to be vigilant during the night when their businesses are vulnerable and are seen as easy targets.
Seven suspects in custody following a business robbery
