UPDATE: Four arrested for robbery
The three men proceeded to assault the woman and her two partners, hitting them in the face and demanding cash. “They said they wanted all our money. I gave them my handbag, which had the wages for our employees in it.”
Four men were arrested on Tuesday morning for armed robbery that had taken place merely minutes before.
The men allegedly robbed a Chinese owned factory in Schonland Street, Riverside Industria, of an undisclosed amount of cash intended for staff wages, before fleeing the scene in a white VW Polo with a GP registration number. Police were informed immediately and succeeded to apprehend the robbers.
“The vehicle was blocked off at the corner of Albert Wessels Drive and Marconi Street. The four suspects were arrested, and the stolen property, as well as stolen cellphones were recovered.”
Three pistols, several rounds of ammunition and extra registration number plates were seized during the arrest.
Colonel Jay Naicker, spokesperson from the SAPS Corporate Communications Department, said the suspects’ vehicle was impounded.
“The vehicle was impounded since it was used in the commission of a crime and the ownership of the vehicle still needs to be confirmed. The firearms that were seized will be subjected to ballistic testing to determine if they were used in the commission of any other crime,” he informed.
Col. Naicker said the suspects would be charged for robbery, as well as possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
One of the three owners of the factory relived the terrifying ordeal.
“Our staff said there were two men at the gate who were looking for the owner of the factory. I went to look, thinking they wanted to purchase goods,” she said.
However, after talking briefly to the men, the woman realised they did not intend to purchase anything. “I tried to close the gates quickly, but they grabbed me and pushed me over.”
Falling to the ground, the factory owner’s ordeal was far from over.
A third man entered the premises with his two accomplices, grabbed the shocked woman and pulled her into the factory, before taking out their firearms.
The three men proceeded to assault the woman and her two partners, hitting them in the face and demanding cash.
“They said they wanted all our money. I gave them my handbag, which had the wages for our employees in it.”
Afterwards, she realised all her important documents like her passport and ID book were still in the bag.
“I told them they could have the money, but asked if they could only give my ID and passport back.”
The men apparently did so.
Alex Liu, chairperson of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said he was thankful for the police’s quick response and the arrest.
“We praise the police officers for the speedy arrests. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce will assist the SAPS in the best way for conviction,” he concluded.
