Suspect found guilty of robbing learners

Magistrate Ian Cox of the Benoni Regional Court found Rowan Naidoo (33) of Lakefield guilty of five counts of robbery with aggravated circumstances and one of attempting to defeat the ends of justice on May 20.

Naidoo was arrested at a gambling venue on the corner of Russel and Howard Streets, in Western Extension, on March 29 last year.

The arrest occurred a week after the suspect allegedly robbed a 13-year-old at gunpoint, taking his cellphone and boom box as he was walking home from school.

Following his arrest, a toy gun presumably used during the crimes was found hidden in his silver VW Polo’s engine air filter.

According to Capt Nomsa Sekele, spokesman for the Benoni SAPS, Naidoo targeted children from nearby schools holding them at gunpoint while robbing them of their phones.

“His four-month reign of terror came to a swift end as victims, aged between 13 and 18, were able to supply police members with a detailed description of the suspect, which led to his arrest,” she said.

“He was also positively identified during an ID parade and the judicial process could take its course.”

Sentencing will take place in this matter on July 29.

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