A 31-year-old business robbery suspect is behind bars following his successful arrest today at about 06:00.
The victim, a 41-year-old franchise cashier at a filling station at Krugersdorp West was with his co-workers at the till doing handover for the next shift when the suspect entered.
The suspect suddenly ordered everyone to be quiet as he showed them a rifle underneath his jacket and demanded cash.
The victim handed over undisclosed cash to the suspect who thereafter fled the scene on foot. The victim and some of his co-workers gave chase and were later joined by Mapogo security.
During the high chase, a police officer stationed at Wedela SAPS, who was on his way to work spotted the fleeing suspect and also gave chase.
The suspect jumped a few walls before hiding inside a yard behind a certain house in Bolton. He was later cornered and successfully apprehended by the brave police officer, still in possession of a rifle with one (01) empty magazine and no ammunition.
Police preliminary investigations revealed that the automatic rifle was reported stolen at Moroka SAPS in Soweto in 2005. Police specialised units will investigate further and take the firearm for ballistic tests to establish if it was previously used in similar crimes.
The suspect from Soweto was detained at Krugersdorp SAPS where he was charged with business robbery.
The Westrand District commissioner, Major General Fred Kekana was all praised as he applauded the police officer and he said,
The member has shown a great deal of bravery and commitment to stop such a heinous crime, taking a risk of facing a heavily armed suspect. I was touched by his unwavering efforts to pull all stops to stop the suspect and finally bring him to book” praised the Westrand District Commissioner.
The suspect will appear briefly at the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ court soon.