It is also believed that these suspects are part of the notorious armed robbery gang that specialises in breaking into people’s homes throughout the city.
Sunward Park woman horror-struck after two-hour house robbery
Three of the four alleged robbers, aged 27, 30 and 32, were arrested on September 15, in Ramaphosa – a few hours after they had held a Sunward Park family at gunpoint and stole an estimated R466 000 worth of goods from their house in East Village.
The robbers, who were driving in a Toyota Corolla (old model), reportedly forced their way into the house and held up the family, before stealing the goods, which include a TV set, HP laptop, watches, jewellery, clothing, a firearm and other expensive goods.
They also stole the family’s Toyota Hilux double cab bakkie during the raid, and then fled the scene.
The police, however, received a tip-off from the public that the stolen car was spotted parked in Ramaphosa.
Following up on the information, officers headed out to the spot and noticed the suspicious-looking occupants of the Toyota Corolla driving slowly next to the parked Toyota Hilux.
“Our members instructed them to stop, but the driver refused to co-operate,” said Reiger Park SAPS spokesperson, Sgt Mashudu Phathela.
”He tried to drive away, and that is when police gave chase and cornered the vehicle.
“The driver jumped out and fled on foot, but our members managed to catch his accomplice, who was sitting in the passenger seat and was found in possession of the stolen jewellery and a watch.
“In the car, police found keys for the stolen Toyota Hilux.
“The arrested man confessed to the crime and also gave police the names and details of his associates.
”Based on that information, police subsequently managed to arrest three more suspects in connection with the house robbery, and one of them was allegedly found wearing a pair of sneakers stolen from the house.
“Another member of the gang is still on the run, but we hope to get hold of him soon.”
Phathela added that preliminary probes led the officers to one of the suspects’ room in the neighbourhood, where they found and seized two illegal firearms and live ammunition.
”They also confiscated suspected stolen goods, including items that were stolen during the robbery at East Village,” he said.
”The recovered goods included cellphones, a necklace, a bracelet, a TV set, a laptop, sneakers and other expensive goods.”
The suspect’s girlfriend was also arrested, after she allegedly told the police that she gave the third firearm to someone next door.
Upon further investigations, police found the firearm hidden nearby the suspect’s place.
The Toyota Corolla which the gang used in the crime has also been seized.
The four are facing charges of house robbery, possession of stolen property, theft and possession of unlicensed firearms.
Phathela said he believes that the arrest of these men is a breakthrough. He is confident that the suspects will be linked to other crimes committed within the region.
Phathela also applauded the community for assisting the police in making the arrests, which were heralded as a great success by both Reiger Park and Boksburg police management. -@FanieFLK
Sunward Park family tied up, pistol-whipped during armed robbery
