DURBAN North SAPS have confirmed the men arrested for attempted theft out of motor vehicles at Gateway Theatre of Shopping on Tuesday night are linked to 20 different cases over a range of crimes. According to Capt Raymond Deokaran, the men who were arrested by members of Excellerate Services Security (Enforce) after a short foot chase through the mall have been linked to cases of fraud, robbery and theft out of motor vehicle cases across the province.
“So far we’ve linked them to cases as far as Pietermaritzburg. We’ve also had a positive link to cases in the Durban CBD and Phoenix. The vehicle used by the suspects was a rental and was fitted with false number plates. When they were arrested, the suspects were in possession of several stolen laptops as well a number other valuables including wallets and bank cards. Our investigations are ongoing and there could be more cases they are linked to,” he said.
Read also: SAPS warn of fake recruitment advert
Deokaran added the suspects were initially spotted by an undercover security officer in the parking lot of the busy mall.
“The officer approached the men as they attempted to break into a vehicle. The men then attempted to evade arrest and tried to get into their getaway vehicle but officers from the security company had blocked the exits. This led to the suspects abandoning their vehicle and trying to escape through the mall. They were eventually apprehended and handed over to officers from the station,” he said.
According to national crime statistics, the Durban North station deals with more than 800 cases of theft out of motor vehicle a year.
Read also: Armed men storm uMhlanga home
For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
