KWAZULU-NATAL police have brought in a team of ‘seasoned detectives’ to investigate a spate of robberies at jewellery stores in the province over the past two months.
Six jewellery stores were robbed, five in Durban and one in Empangeni, from December 2016 to January 2017.
KZN Police spokesperson Thulani Zwane confirmed that in most of the incidents the armed robbers held up staff, while smashing display cases with hammers to get the jewellery.
While most cases reported an undisclosed amount of jewellery being stolen, police have estimated the combined amount to be worth millions of rands by the so-called Hammer Gang.
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Zwane said the investigation is at a critical and sensitive stage.
‘We can’t disclose more information but there are leads that we are following up regarding these incidents.
‘We are still investigating to see whether it is the same group carrying out these robberies.’
Zwane said while no one had been injured in the robberies, the police regard the suspects as extremely dangerous.
‘We know that this gang is armed. They always carry their hammers and firearms.’
‘So if the customers, employees or staff are being approached by these suspects they must remain calm.’
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