Swift police response to an incident of serious and violent crime led to the arrest of four suspects and recovery of expensive jewellery that was stolen during a robbery at a jewellery shop in a Midrand shopping centre yesterday, 11 September.
According to a statement by Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo, an armed gang allegedly shot at the police when they were intercepted in Marlboro and police returned fire.
“Police received information about a business robbery that occurred at a jewellery shop inside a shopping centre on Tuesday at about 7.30pm. The information was immediately operationalised and the police started looking for the suspects,” he said.
Masondo said that the suspects, driving a BMW X5 were spotted in Ebony Park and a chase ensued to Marlboro Drive where the suspects allegedly started shooting at the police and the shoot-out followed. The suspects jumped out of the car and the shoot-out continued, resulting in one of the suspects fatally shot and four suspects arrested.
He added that the police recovered high calibre rifle with live rounds of ammunition. Upon searching the suspect’s vehicle, police found Rolex, Breitling, Omega and Tagheur watches believed to have been taken during the robbery.
Steven Johnstone, chairman of the Community Policing Forum Midrand said the arrested suspects, who are between the ages of 49 and 39, were positively linked to the crime with stolen goods found inside suspects’ vehicle.
Masondo said the arrested suspects will face charges ranging from business robbery, attempted murder, possession of the suspected stolen property, reckless and negligent driving, possession of prohibited firearm and ammunition.
Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela said, “As we are intensifying our crime prevention operations, O Kae Molao, criminals will not hide because space is getting smaller and smaller and we are urging members of the community to isolate criminals.”
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/201898/two-arrested-after-business-robbery/
