Metro officers pounce on armed cellphone thief in Wentworth
Crime must be reported to Crime stop toll free on 08600-10111
METRO Police officers gave chase and successfully netted a 30-year-old man who robbed a school pupil of his cellphone on Monday, 18 June in Merebank.
The officers were in Wentworth when they noticed the robbery in progress.
The pupil was held up at gunpoint and robbed of his cellphone and other possessions. The officers gave chase and caught the culprit along Ballerina Terrace in Treasure Beach. All the stolen items were recovered from the robber.
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They were highly commended by Wentworth SAPS station management for the arrest and recovery, as well as the recovery of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in the criminal’s possession.
“The firearm recovered could have been used to take a life or to commit other crimes in the area, but because of the officers’ vigilance,that was prevented,” said Wentworth SAPS spokesman, Capt Mbuso Gumede.
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The criminal, who was charged for armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, appeared in Durban court on 19 June.
“Carjacking and house robberies are prevalent in most areas and firearms are used to commit these crimes. One firearm recovered means a huge success to the police and law-abiding citizens,” added Cpt Gumede.
Crime must be reported to Crime stop toll free on 08600-10111, Wentworth police station on 031-4516240/6241/6242 or 10111. The firearm will undergo ballistics testing to establish whether it was used in any other crimes committed.
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