THREE business robbers who took advantage of the power outage during load shedding on the Bluff on Saturday, 16 June, had their lights dimmed when they were caught in a collision while fleeing.
The trio had robbed employees and a customer at a shop on Bluff Road.
They arrived at the business in a Nissan bakkie and while one brandished a gun, held up the employees and a client during a time when the area was affected by load shedding. The robbers took cellphones jewellery, cash, airtime and cigarettes to the value of R80,000.
They fled in their vehicle, heading towards Bayhead, where they collided with a diesel trailer at a robot.
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“Members of Durban Harbour SAPS operational response service were on patrol when they came across the collision. On approaching the scene, they saw a man fleeing from the bakkie while another two men inside the bakkie seemed to be dazed.” The members helped the injured occupant, according to Brighton Beach SAPS spokesman, Capt Louise Le Roux.
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“They became suspicious when they noticed several packets of cigarette scattered in the back of the bakkie. They searched the occupants and found an unlicensed 9mm pistol, along with a magazine and ammunition, concealed in the back of the driver’s pants, tucked under his shorts. The firearm was seized and the men arrested. Jewellery and a cellphone were recovered from the passenger. Credit cards, credit card swap machines and cash were also retrieved from the back of the bakkie.
One man was hospitalised for treatment to the head injuries he sustained in the impact, while the other was detained at SAPS Brighton Beach.
“A search for the third suspect continues. The firearm will be sent for ballistic testing to establish if it has been used in the commission of other crimes,” added Capt Le Roux.
“Captain L Ramlal, Sgt SF Khomo and Sgt S Rampersadh from Operational Response Service Durban Harbour are commended by SAPS Brighton Beach management for arresting the men, recovery of the unlicensed firearm and the stolen items taken during the business robbery. These members conduct daily vehicle checkpoints within the area to support SAPS Brighton Beach in combatting crime within our policing area, which we appreciate.
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