Robbers caught for business robberies
The informer further reported that the suspects are allegedly involved in ATM bombings at the filling stations around eMalahleni and Vosman areas
Business robberies have featured in the news for a couple of weeks and police assured the community that they are hot on the trails of these robbers.
It is believed that a syndicate was to blame for this.
On Monday, August 5 information was received from a source about a possible suspect involved in business robberies especially in the Central Business District of eMalahleni.
The informer further reported that the suspects are allegedly involved in ATM bombings at the filling stations around eMalahleni and Vosman areas.
The following day, Crime Investigation members followed up on the information by identifying relevant information regarding the alleged suspects and on August 7 at around 03:00 an operation was launched in conjunction with the members of Witbank Trio.
The operation was held at Old Coronation and Klarinet and six suspects were arrested.
The first suspect was arrested for business robbery and malicious damage to property (following an ATM bombing).
The second suspect was arrested for possession of explosives after he was found in possession of detonators.
Another suspect was arrested for malicious damage to property and they were all arrested for business robberies.
During the operation at Old Coronation there were clothing recovered from the above mentioned suspect’s premises which were stolen during business robberies at various clothing stores.
Other items like shoes that were stolen at other stores were also recovered from the houses of the suspects.
The complainants were called in to identify the recovered properties and identification statements were obtained from them and the identified items were handed back to the complainants.
It was reported in WITBANK NEWS of August 2 that various businesses were robbed and items from a clothing store in Delville Street, that was robbed on July 30 in the early hours of the morning was recovered during the above mentioned operation.
One of the employees confirmed that the robbers took clothing, mostly Nike and Adidas.
“We are still busy with stock take at the moment,” the employee said; “but they took no money, just clothing.”
He added: “They opened the security roller doors and then the doors to the store to gain access. The vehicle they used had no plates and we are not sure of the vehicle make.”’
Even though six arrests were made, the investigation continues and the suspects appeared at the Witbank Magistrate’s Court on Monday August 12.
