7 suspects in custody for armed robbery
Several robbery cases are being investigated by police after a successful arrest of seven suspects. Police made the swift arrest on Monday when the wanted suspects were nabbed at various houses in and around Durban. The suspects have reportedly been terrorising communities through robberies and assault while posing as an e-hailing service.
LAST week, a man was robbed of his valuables while walking home from work. The incident took place on Lena Ahrens Road in Glenwood.
According to SAPS Umbilo spokesperson Captain Pumzile Biyana, the man works at UKZN and was walking home around 18:00.
“He was confronted by men in a white Polo vehicle. They grabbed him and pointed a gun at him and stole his laptop, bank cards and a cellphone before driving off.”
The victim sustained no injuries and managed to take the car registration number.
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Upon opening a case, Captain Biyana said, “The registration number was circulated to various SAPS units. It was established that the vehicle in question was linked to several cases of armed robberies. It was traced to the owner who resides in The Bluff. The Umbilo Detective Service Centre located the owner whom they questioned.”
“The driver and his accomplices were pointed out and arrested at different homes around Durban. A total of seven suspects are in custody and will appear in court for armed robbery. They range from the ages of 19 to 23,” Biyana said.
Biyana said the vehicle owner admitted that he owned the car and that it was used on a regular basis for e-hailing services with a designated driver while he worked full-time. A gas gun and IDs and bank cards were recovered.
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The armed robberies usually take place between 18:00 and 21:00, and Biyana advised residents to be alert during these times. “Try not to walk alone, avoid carrying valuables and if robbed, try to memorise details of the vehicles involved and the identities of the suspects,” added Biyana.
The suspects remain in custody pending a court appearance.
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