The suspect had an outstanding warrant of arrest for house robbery and a rape case in 2014.
After receiving bail in Witbank Magistrate’s Court the suspect disappeared.
A very delighted W/O PD Masango praised Witbank 911 Zello group for catching the suspect and his cohorts, after a business robbery in Del Judor Shopping Centre on December 29.
Mr Abid Hussain, owner of the shop in the centre, told police one of his customers paid for cigarettes and as he looked up a man pointed a firearm at him.
Hussain was tied up with a shoelace and watched helplessly as the three suspects ransacked the shop.
When they left he managed to untie himself and scream for help.
Mr Quintin de Bruyn, communications senior of Witbank 911 Response Units, picked up the rest of the story as it happened.
“After a May Day came through on the Witbank 911 channel about a robbery in Del Judor Shopping Centre, all units were dispatched to the scene. After searching the streets and fields next to the N4 highway and The Duckpond, we saw evidence of the suspects entering AfriSam property,” De Bruyn said.
The suspects were spotted in the field next to Lisa Street. They jumped over the wall and fled into the neighbourhood, jumping walls from yard to yard.
The reaction units were just too quick for them and one suspect was apprehended in a yard in Frieda Street, his accomplice was apprehended in Buckingham Estate, and the third at a shopping centre close by.
“After the suspects were detained, we went back to the field in Lisa Street where we recovered two backpacks, filled with stolen cigarettes, coins, radios and a huge knife smeared with blood,” De Bruyn said.
Hussain, who was also on the scene, found his car keys among the stolen goods.
He thanked the community, the responding units of Witbank 911, the Community Police Forum and the SAPS.
The suspects appeared in Witbank Magistrate’s Court on January 7.
During the festive season Witbank 911 responded to 217 calls. This included armed robberies, attempted motor theft and break-ins. Altogether 38 suspects were caught. Of these 217 calls 41 were medical-related for accidents, hit and runs, suicide attempts and minor accidents at residential homes.
