POLOKWANE – Three of six filling station robbery suspects were taken into custody by members of the organised crime unit on Monday after the crime intelligence unit received a tip-off from some residents.
The suspects are thought to have been part of the group that committed a spate of filling station robberies in Polokwane, Mokopane and Jane Furse.
The robberies took place in the early hours of last Monday morning. Besides the same modus operandi being used at each robbery, a silver grey BMW was also used by the robbers in each incident.
According to Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, the three suspects, two men and a woman, were arrested in Pretoria last Wednesday.
During the arrest the two men were allegedly found in possession of R71 000, which was believed to be part of the money stolen during the robberies.
The BMW used as the getaway car was also recovered last Wednesday after it was found abandoned in Ga-Maselola village, Phala said.
He added that vehicle had been hijacked from a doctor in Motetema near Groblersdal in February.
Phala further said the investigation also revealed that one of the robbers (a soldier), who was arrested at a lodge in Pretoria in the company of a woman, had already used part of the stolen money to buy a tractor trailer for the amount of R53 000.
During the arrests the police also confiscated the following:
• Three R5 Rifles.
• Six magazines loaded with R5 rounds.
• Five 9mm pistols with magazines and rounds.
• Ten shotgun rounds.
• Balaclavas and gloves.
• R5 magazine bag.
• A jacket with a well-known security group’s logo on it.
• Two two-way radios.
• R138 000 in cash.
Phala said the police would continue tirelessly to make sure that people and their property were protected and criminals were dealt with harshly and without fear.
The suspects appeared before the Polokwane magistrate’s court on Tuesday and Wednesday.
By the time of going to print on Wednesday, court was still in session.
Robbers’ filling station spree
(VIDEO FOOTAGE) Armed robbery at filling station opposite Savannah Mall
(VIDEO FOOTAGE) Armed robbery at filling station in Penina Park
Armed robbery at Engen Mokopane
