Three weeks ago Herman Jabar (43) was excited to be released on parole after being found guilty of murder in 1992. His excitement was short-lived as he is back behind bars, this time for armed robbery and attempted murder.
Jabar was shot and arrested after he robbed American Swiss in the Central Business District (CBD) on Friday, May 13.
Herman Jabar (43) was arrested after robbing the American Swiss Jewellery shop on Friday, May 13.
Jabar’s crime binge began earlier the day when he apparently hit Capt Abel Aphane over his head and robbed him of his firearm. Capt Aphane was part of the crime awareness campaign that was held in the CBD.
In a report to the police Capt Aphane said he was unconscious after the attack. When he came round he found his firearm was missing.
Nearly three hours later Jabar made his way to the jewellery store in Botha Street. As a customer left through the security gate he slipped in and ordered another customer to leave the shop and fired a shot with the firearm he took from Capt Aphane earlier.
Jabar ordered Ms Sarah Matshia, who works in the jewellery store to put all the jewellery in a bag and also told her to empty the three safes and cash in the bag.
In the meantime Mr Dan Jiyane from Secure Access responded to a panic received from one of their clients who heard the gunshot in American Swiss.
As Jiyane was about to enter the jewellery store, Jabar opened fire and shot him in the right forearm.
Members of Middelburg K9-unit, who took part in the crime awareness campaign, heard the shots and rushed to the scene.
Jabar who noticed all the policemen used Matshia as a shield as he left the jewellery store.
The terrified woman said afterwards he said if he is shot, she would die as well.
Once outside Jabar told Matshia to run and he then started running in the opposite direction.
A member of the K9 unit shot him in the ankle and he was arrested.
All the jewellery and money was found, so was Capt Aphane’s firearm.
Mr Julian King, owner of Secure Access, said Jiyane is still in hospital.
“Mr Jiyane will have to undergo operations on his arm. But he is stable and in good spirits,” King said.
Jabar’s wrap sheet tells its own story of a criminal spree that includes murder, two counts of attempted murder, malicious damage to property, armed robbery, crimen injuria, two counts of assault and then he also escaped custody twice. All together he was sentenced to 38 years imprisonment of which he served 24 years.
The suspect is still in hospital under police custody.
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