Police arrest two armed robbery suspects, rescue rape victim outside Bela Bela
The female victim was found in the nearby bushes during the arrest. She had been robbed and raped
LIMPOPO – In a statement released, Police spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe, said the two armed robbery suspects were arrested and the rape victim rescued on Tuesday, 20 April in Northam outside Bela-Bela, during an intelligence driven joint operation .
These arrests come after a several hitchhikers were reportedly robbed at different hiking spots in the same area. The robberies were said to be committed by unknown suspects travelling in a Blue Toyota Tazz.
Ngoepe explained that these said suspects, travelling with the same vehicle, allegedly committed two separate armed robberies on 18 April, where the victims were pointed with a firearm and robbed of their belongings that include cellphones, bank cards, wallets shoes, clothes, watches and cash. “Afterwards, the suspects committed three other robberies between 20 and 23 April, using the same modus operandi,” Ngoepe said.
Following the robberies an intelligence driven joint operation was conducted this week in and around this area to track down the suspects involved. Ngoepe said it was during this operation, Police spotted the mentioned vehicle with three occupants inside, in the bushes along the road near one of the farms. “The vehicle was pulled off the road and two suspects were apprehended on the spot and a third suspect managed to run away.”
During the arrest, the police also rescued a female victim from the bushes after she was robbed and raped by the suspects.
He added that the operation followed the tracks of this syndicate which led them to Manamakgoteng village in the North West province and managed to recover some stolen items which were allegedly taken during a recent house robbery.
The suspects will appear before the Northam Magistrate’s Court soon on various charges including armed robbery and rape. The third suspect, believed to be the mastermind, is still at large and anyone with information that can lead to his arrest, may contact the crime stop number 0860010111 or the Crime Line SMS 32211 or the nearest Police Station, Ngoepe said.
The Police are calling upon all members of the community who were victimised by this syndicate, to go to Northam Police Station to identify their belongings. The Police investigations in all these cases are still continuing.
