AN intelligence driven operation by various police units lead to the arrest of the leader of one of the gangs responsible for the mall robberies in the province.
Detectives from the Provincial Mall Robbery Task Team were tracking the movements of a man who remained elusive and was possibly aware that police were looking for him.
KZN spokesman, Brigadier Jay Naicker said police launched an operation after identifying two residences at AA section and BB section in Umlazi, used as hideouts by these criminals on Monday night (3 July).
During the operation, two men were arrested including the leader of one of the gangs. It is believed this gang targeted shops that sold jewellery and wrist watches.
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“Police recovered wrist watches and expensive perfumes that were taken in some of the robberies. The main suspect was positively linked to at least three mall robberies while the second man was found in possession of goods taken during a fourth robbery.”
Naicker added that both men who are in their early 30s, will appear in court soon.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Mxolisi Kaunda applauded police for the successful operation, saying that the latest arrest will serve as a stern warning to other criminals who terrorise businesses in the province.
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“Recently, we have resuscitated the KwaZulu-Natal Council Against Crime with a view of strengthening the partnership between government, the police and business sector in the fight against crime affecting the business community of the province,” said Kaunda.
He urged police and members of the community to close ranks in ensuring that all suspects implicated in mall robberies in the province are brought to book.
“We also appeal to people to stop buying stolen goods because in so doing they are creating a market for criminals,” he said.
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