Metro police arrest alleged KZN shopping mall syndicate

Metro police officers recently arrested four suspects, who are allegedly part of a syndicate whose modus operandi focused on targeting elderly women in shopping malls before kidnapping, assaulting, and robbing them.

In a statement released by the eThekwini Municipality’s communications unit, it was stated that the suspects were arrested by the metro police’s tactical support unit in Montclair as part of an ongoing operation to curb criminal activities.

The syndicate allegedly consists of three men and a woman. The female would identify an elderly female victim and point out money that had fallen on the ground, persuading the victim to pick it up.

Once the victim had done so, she would allegedly be approached by an individual impersonating a police officer, who would escort her to a vehicle. There, the victim would be assaulted and robbed of her belongings, and her bank account cleared out.

This syndicate is suspected to be connected to over 30 other cases in KZN, including kidnapping, fraud, and armed robbery. The four suspects were arrested for robbery with a firearm.

During the arrest, a Suzuki vehicle allegedly used in the commission of the offence, six cellphones, and R2 310 in cash were seized. The case is being handled by Chatsworth SAPS, and investigations are ongoing.