Three victims were allegedly robbed at gunpoint in one day and five others on four separate days in one week in Alex.
Police spokesperson Captain Allie Kodisang said the first victim on 18th September was robbed at 6am as he walked to a shop through a passageway between 19th and 20th avenues. Two suspects came running from behind and one of them held him by his shoulder. When he turned around, the second suspect cocked and pointed a gun at him. They demanded a cellphone and he handed them his Samsung A3 worth R3 000. The suspect walked away.
The second victim was robbed at 6.15am, minutes after the first incident but on 16th Avenue. He was approached by a suspect while walking from his home, who asked where he could buy fat cakes. When he directed him, a second suspect pitched up and held the victim’s school bag. The first suspect produced a gun and pointed it at the victim. They took the bag containing a laptop, textbooks and student’s card all worthy R3 180 and they walked away.
The third victim was robbed by six suspects at 1pm as he walked through the Jukskei River Park. The suspects demanded a cellphone at knife and gunpoint and the victim handed them his Samsung J2 worthy R2 500. He was then ordered to walk away.
The fourth incident included two victims who were robbed by two suspects at 10.45am on 19 September at the intersection of Vincent Tshabalala Road and Lenin Drive. The suspects got out of a vehicle that stopped next to them and, ordered them at gunpoint to hand over their possessions. They surrendered a Huawei and a Samsung cellphone, identity documents, a passport and R70 in cash. The suspects got back into the vehicle and drove off.
The fifth robbery of a two-man delivery crew occurred at 2pm on 21 September as they were offloading items at a shop at Nobuhle Hostel. They were ordered by two armed suspects into the back of the van, which they closed after taking an undisclosed amount of money from the victims and cigarette boxes from the truck. It wasn’t specified how the victims were released.
The last robbery also of a two-man delivery crew occurred at 9am on 22 September from a shop at the intersection of Vincent Tshabalala Road and 3rd Avenue. Three armed suspects approached the victims who were delivering bread and ordered them out of a truck. They took from them, R3 000 in cash. The victims recognised one of the suspects as one who allegedly robbed them before while delivering at a 2nd Avenue shop. It wasn’t specified whether any arrests were made for the first case.
Details: Alex Police Station 011 439 7718/9.
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