Four suspects arrested during syndicate bust in Montclair
The gang, composed of three men and one woman, preyed on elderly women in shopping malls, using deceptive tactics to rob their victims.
IN a decisive action by the metro police tactical support unit, a notorious criminal syndicate operating in Montclair was dismantled on August 7.
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The syndicate, consisting of three men and one woman, targeted elderly women in various shopping malls.
According to the information received from the police, the female member of the group would scout for unsuspecting elderly victims and deliberately point out money supposedly dropped on the ground. Under the guise of helping, she would coax the victim into picking up the supposed cash.
Metro police said in a statement that once the victim was distracted and bending down to retrieve the money, an accomplice posing as a police officer would approach.
“This fake officer would then escort the victim to a nearby vehicle under the pretense of conducting an investigation. In the vehicle, the unsuspecting victim would be assaulted, robbed of her belongings, and her bank account would be fraudulently emptied,” the statement read.
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The syndicate’s criminal activities are believed to be linked to over 30 similar cases across KwaZulu-Natal, encompassing charges of kidnapping, fraud and armed robbery.
The swift intervention by the metro police has led to the apprehension of the four suspects, who now face charges of robbery with a firearm.
During the bust, officers recovered a Suzuki vehicle used in the commission of the crimes, six cell phones, and R2 310 in cash.
The case is currently under the purview of Chatsworth SAPS, with further investigations continuing to unravel the full extent of the syndicate’s operations and potential connections to other criminal activities.
Police believe that the arrest of these suspects marks a significant victory in the battle against organised crime in the area, providing a sense of relief to the community and a stern warning to other would-be offenders.
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