TWO men, aged 24 and 34, were sentenced in the Durban Magistrate’s Court for armed robbery with aggravating circumstances recently.
Both accused were convicted for business and armed robbery with aggravating circumstances to12 years imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103 (i) of the firearm control act of 2000.
According to Wentworth police, the crime took place on Brooklyn Road at Joosabs Cash and Carry in Jacobs back in December 2017.
“On that day three male suspects entered the business premises and demanded to see someone. The receptionist told them that person was not there. The other suspect then pulled out a knife and started to assault the employees, robbed the employee of her cellphone, searched all the staff and took the belongings at gunpoint as well as cash. They demanded safe keys, took cash from the cash tray.
“The victims were able to identify the suspects who fled the scene. The police were alerted and a search started around the Jacobs and Wentworth areas. Wentworth SAPS vispol officers and detectives together with neighbourhood stations assisted. One of the suspects, armed with a knife, was arrested in Constantia Park in Wentworth. The other suspect was also later arrested,” said Wentworth police spokesperson, Captain Mbuso Gumede.
The third suspect was also arrested, but was released by the court due to insufficient evidence linking him to this crime. The case docket was assigned to Detective Captain Herming Ncane who opposed bail in court and ensured both accused were remanded in Westville prison.
Detective Ncane also ensured that all stolen items cellphones and other valuables were recovered and handed back to the victims. Both accused appeared in court on numerous occasions and since the date of commission of this offence they were remanded back into Westville Prison.
The detective was commended by Wentworth’s station management for ensuring that both accused were sentenced and bail was opposed during court appearances.
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