Four suspected cell phone snatchers are behind bars for a crime they allegedly committed in the Randburg CBD on 13 July.
Randburg Police Station spokesperson Captain Makgowanyana Maja said that the suspects pounced on their victim while he was talking on his phone at the corner of Pretoria Avenue and Hill Street in the late afternoon.
“One suspect grabbed the victim’s cell phone from behind before jumping in to the back of a waiting vehicle and speeding off,” said Maja.
He said that the victim ran after the suspects and called the police. “The suspects did not realise that they were being followed and proceeded to allegedly attempt to rob another victim.”
When the police arrived, the officers stopped the vehicle and searched the suspects. The stolen cell phone was recovered from one of the suspects, and all suspects were arrested on the spot.
All suspects recently appeared in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.
Maja added, “The management of the station would like to urge the community to use their cell phones only when it is safe to do so. At night-time, walk-in groups to avoid being robbed and use well-lit and busy roads when walking.”
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